Sample records for mixed function oxygenases

  1. Use of mixed-function oxygenases to monitor contaminant exposure in wildlife

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Rattner, B.A.; Hoffman, D.J.; Marn, C.M.

    1989-01-01

    This overview examines the utility of mixed-function oxygenase (MFO) enzymes as a bioeffects monitor for wildlife (amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) in view of their widespread use as indicators of contaminant exposure in aquatic invertebrates and fish. Phylogenetic trends in MFO activity, toxicological implications of induction and the relationship between contaminant exposure and MFO activity are discussed. Field studies using avian embryos and hatchlings suggest that MFO induction has utility for documenting contaminant exposure; however, findings in adult birds and mammals are equivocal. Age, sex and season are sources of variation that require consideration when undertaking field trials. Further understanding of MFO inducibility among species and application of recently developed analytical techniques including quantification of specific cytochrome P-450 isozymes are warranted.

  2. Enhanced hepatic and kidney cytochrome p-450 activities in nandrolone decanoate treated albino mice.

    PubMed

    Acharjee, B K; Mahanta, R

    2009-04-01

    Anabolic androgenic steroids are the xenobiotic substrates that are metabolized in the body by the protective enzyme systems. Mixed function oxygenase enzymes include a group of enzymes which play an essential role in the metabolism of a broad range of xenobiotics including endogenous and exogenous substrates. Cytochrome P-450, a member of mixed function oxygenase enzymes, plays an important role in oxidative metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics entering human body. Various anabolic steroids are found either to increase or decrease the activity of cytochrome P-450. However, effect of nandrolone decanoate, most commonly abused anabolic steroid, on cytochrome P-450 activity is still fragmentary. In the present study, albino mice were administered intramuscular 2.5 mg of nandrolone decanoate injection at 15 days interval. Cytochrome P-450 activity is determined by following the method of Omura and Sato (1964) in liver and kidney tissues of both normal and experimental groups upto 90 days. Investigation shows a significant (p <0.01) increase of cytochrome P-450 (nmol/mg) activity in liver tissue as compared to that of kidney tissues. A tissue specific and dose specific increase of cytochrome P-450 activity is observed. Mean cytochrome P-450 is found highest in liver tissue on 45(th) day whereas the activity in kidney tissue is noticed on 90(th) day of treatment. From the above observation, nandrolone decanoate can be suggested as a potent inducer of cytochrome P-450 activity like other anabolic steroids.

  3. The dark and bright sides of an enzyme: a three dimensional structure of the N-terminal domain of Zophobas morio luciferase-like enzyme, inferences on the biological function and origin of oxygenase/luciferase activity.

    PubMed

    Prado, R A; Santos, C R; Kato, D I; Murakami, M T; Viviani, V R

    2016-05-11

    Beetle luciferases, the enzymes responsible for bioluminescence, are special cases of CoA-ligases which have acquired a novel oxygenase activity, offering elegant models to investigate the structural origin of novel catalytic functions in enzymes. What the original function of their ancestors was, and how the new oxygenase function emerged leading to bioluminescence remains unclear. To address these questions, we solved the crystal structure of a recently cloned Malpighian luciferase-like enzyme of unknown function from Zophobas morio mealworms, which displays weak luminescence with ATP and the xenobiotic firefly d-luciferin. The three dimensional structure of the N-terminal domain showed the expected general fold of CoA-ligases, with a unique carboxylic substrate binding pocket, permitting the binding and CoA-thioesterification activity with a broad range of carboxylic substrates, including short-, medium-chain and aromatic acids, indicating a generalist function consistent with a xenobiotic-ligase. The thioesterification activity with l-luciferin, but not with the d-enantiomer, confirms that the oxygenase activity emerged from a stereoselective impediment of the thioesterification reaction with the latter, favoring the alternative chemiluminescence oxidative reaction. The structure and site-directed mutagenesis support the involvement of the main-chain amide carbonyl of the invariant glycine G323 as the catalytic base for luciferin C4 proton abstraction during the oxygenase activity in this enzyme and in beetle luciferases (G343).

  4. A bleached-kraft mill effluent fraction causing induction of a fish mixed-function oxygenase enzyme

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

    Burnison, B.K.; Hodson, P.V.; Nuttley, D.J.

    1996-09-01

    Pulp mill effluents contain a myriad of chemicals that have the potential to cause deleterious effects on aquatic biota in receiving waters. Some of these chemicals evoke an acute lethal response of exposed biota while others evoke sublethal responses. One such sublethal response is the induction of mixed-function oxygenases (MFO) in fish, specifically the CYP1A1 enzyme ethoxy-resorufin-o-deethylase (EROD). Compounds causing MFO induction include congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, furans, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The authors followed the partitioning of the inducing chemicals in pulp mill effluent fractions by Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE), or bioassay-driven chemical analysis. This proceduremore » was eventually modified to a more direct technique involving centrifugation, filtration, cleanup procedures, and C{sub 18} solid-phase adsorption. The extracts from the fractionation of two pulp mill effluents after secondary treatment were tested for EROD-inducing activity in a 4-d rainbow trout bioassay. The methanol extracts of particulates/colloids showed significant inducing capacity in Mill A effluent but not in Mill B effluent. The C{sub 18} methanol extracts induced activity from both effluents, with extracts from Mill A causing the greatest response. The particulate/colloidal extract (Mill A) was used as the source material for chemicals which caused EROD induction. The fraction was purified by solid-phase extraction techniques and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The majority of the EROD activity was found in the moderately nonpolar region of the chromatogram (K{sub ow} = 4.6 to 5.1).« less

  5. Limitations of in silico predictability of specificity of co-immobilised cytochromes P450 and mimics in food-bioprocessing.

    PubMed

    Wiseman, Alan

    2003-04-01

    Cytochromes P450 (EC 1.14.14.1) are mixed function oxidases (oxygenases) that can catalyse redox bioconversions of food components. Also, efficacious removal of undesirable components can be achieved using solid-support immobilised enzyme (IME) of a selection from 2700 isoforms of cytochromes P450 (CYP). Cytochromes P450 co-immobilised with other enzymes, or protein receptors, may be used to confer a secondary order of regio- or stereo-specificity of chiral bioconversion: these can be predictable in silico by utilisation of QSARs (quantitative structure/activity relationships).

  6. Nitric oxide mediates the lipopolysaccharide dependent upregulation of the heme oxygenase-1 gene expression in cultured rat Kupffer cells.

    PubMed

    Immenschuh, S; Tan, M; Ramadori, G

    1999-01-01

    Heme oxygenase catalyzes the rate-limiting enzymatic step of heme degradation. The inducible isoform of heme oxygenase, heme oxygenase-1, is expressed at a low level in most tissues and is upregulated by its substrate heme and various stress stimuli. Kupffer cells which represent the largest population of the body's tissue macrophages serve physiological functions in the defense against various pathogens such as lipopolysaccharide. The goal of the present study was to investigate the heme oxygenase-1 gene expression in Kupffer cells of rat liver and in isolated Kupffer cell cultures during treatment with lipopolysaccharide. Cryostat sections of normal rat liver were investigated by immunofluorescence double-staining using specific antibodies for rat heme oxygenase-1 and ED2. Isolation and cell culture of Kupffer cells and primary hepatocytes from rat liver, as well as Northern and Western blot analysis, were performed with standard protocols. Heme oxygenase-1 protein was highly expressed in large sinusoidal cells of normal rat liver, which were identified as Kupffer cells by staining with the macrophage surface marker ED2. By contrast, no expression of heme oxygenase-1 was detected in liver parenchymal cells. High expression of heme oxygenase-1 was also found in isolated Kupffer cells in culture by immunocytochemical staining as well as by Western and Northern blot analysis. After treatment of Kupffer cells cultures with lipopolysaccharide, heme oxygenase-1 was upregulated on the protein and mRNA level in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This increase in heme oxygenase-1 expression by lipopolysaccharide was prevented by the nitric oxide inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine which was reversed by an excess of L-arginine. Various nitric oxide donors up-regulated heme oxygenase-1 mRNA expression in Kupffer cells. The lipopolysaccharide-dependent upregulation of the heme oxygenase-1 gene which is highly expressed in Kupffer cells is mediated by a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism.

  7. Heme Oxygenases in Cardiovascular Health and Disease

    PubMed Central

    Ayer, Anita; Zarjou, Abolfazl; Agarwal, Anupam; Stocker, Roland

    2016-01-01

    Heme oxygenases are composed of two isozymes, Hmox1 and Hmox2, that catalyze the degradation of heme to carbon monoxide (CO), ferrous iron, and biliverdin, the latter of which is subsequently converted to bilirubin. While initially considered to be waste products, CO and biliverdin/bilirubin have been shown over the last 20 years to modulate key cellular processes, such as inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, as well as antioxidant defense. This shift in paradigm has led to the importance of heme oxygenases and their products in cell physiology now being well accepted. The identification of the two human cases thus far of heme oxygenase deficiency and the generation of mice deficient in Hmox1 or Hmox2 have reiterated a role for these enzymes in both normal cell function and disease pathogenesis, especially in the context of cardiovascular disease. This review covers the current knowledge on the function of both Hmox1 and Hmox2 at both a cellular and tissue level in the cardiovascular system. Initially, the roles of heme oxygenases in vascular health and the regulation of processes central to vascular diseases are outlined, followed by an evaluation of the role(s) of Hmox1 and Hmox2 in various diseases such as atherosclerosis, intimal hyperplasia, myocardial infarction, and angiogenesis. Finally, the therapeutic potential of heme oxygenases and their products are examined in a cardiovascular disease context, with a focus on how the knowledge we have gained on these enzymes may be capitalized in future clinical studies. PMID:27604527

  8. Oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid to oxindole-3-acetic acid by an enzyme preparation from Zea mays

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reinecke, D. M.; Bandurski, R. S.

    1988-01-01

    Indole-3-acetic acid is oxidized to oxindole-3-acetic acid by Zea mays tissue extracts. Shoot, root, and endosperm tissues have enzyme activities of 1 to 10 picomoles per hour per milligram protein. The enzyme is heat labile, is soluble, and requires oxygen for activity. Cofactors of mixed function oxygenase, peroxidase, and intermolecular dioxygenase are not stimulatory to enzymic activity. A heat-stable, detergent-extractable component from corn enhances enzyme activity 6- to 10-fold. This is the first demonstration of the in vitro enzymic oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid to oxindole-3-acetic acid in higher plants.

  9. Isolation of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase from Leaves

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) is a multi-functional enzyme that catalyzes the fixation of CO2 and O2 in photosynthesis and photorespiration, respectively. As the rate-limiting step in photosynthesis, improving the catalytic properties of Rubisco has long been viewed as a...

  10. RNAi-induced silencing of embryonic tryptophan oxygenase in the Pyralid moth, Plodia interpunctella

    PubMed Central

    Fabrick, Jeffrey A.; Kanost, Michael R.; Baker, James E.

    2004-01-01

    Gene silencing through the introduction of double-stranded RNA (RNA interference, RNAi) provides a powerful tool for the elucidation of gene function in many systems, including those where genomics and proteomics are incomplete. The use of RNAi technology for gene silencing in Lepidoptera has lacked significant attention compared to other systems. To demonstrate that RNAi can be utilized in the lepidopteran, Plodia interpunctella, we cloned a cDNA for tryptophan oxygenase, and showed that silencing of tryptophan oxygenase through RNAi during embryonic development resulted in loss of eye-color pigmentation. The complete amino acid sequence of Plodia tryptophan oxygenase can be accessed through NCBI Protein Database under NCBI Accession # AY427951. Abbreviation RNAi RNA interference PCR polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR reverse transcription-PCR PMID:15861231

  11. Sudestada1, a Drosophila ribosomal prolyl-hydroxylase required for mRNA translation, cell homeostasis, and organ growth

    PubMed Central

    Katz, Maximiliano J.; Acevedo, Julieta M.; Loenarz, Christoph; Galagovsky, Diego; Liu-Yi, Phebee; Pérez-Pepe, Marcelo; Thalhammer, Armin; Sekirnik, Rok; Ge, Wei; Melani, Mariana; Thomas, María G.; Simonetta, Sergio; Boccaccio, Graciela L.; Schofield, Christopher J.; Cockman, Matthew E.; Ratcliffe, Peter J.; Wappner, Pablo

    2014-01-01

    Genome sequences predict the presence of many 2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent oxygenases of unknown biochemical and biological functions in Drosophila. Ribosomal protein hydroxylation is emerging as an important 2OG oxygenase catalyzed pathway, but its biological functions are unclear. We report investigations on the function of Sudestada1 (Sud1), a Drosophila ribosomal oxygenase. As with its human and yeast homologs, OGFOD1 and Tpa1p, respectively, we identified Sud1 to catalyze prolyl-hydroxylation of the small ribosomal subunit protein RPS23. Like OGFOD1, Sud1 catalyzes a single prolyl-hydroxylation of RPS23 in contrast to yeast Tpa1p, where Pro-64 dihydroxylation is observed. RNAi-mediated Sud1 knockdown hinders normal growth in different Drosophila tissues. Growth impairment originates from both reduction of cell size and diminution of the number of cells and correlates with impaired translation efficiency and activation of the unfolded protein response in the endoplasmic reticulum. This is accompanied by phosphorylation of eIF2α and concomitant formation of stress granules, as well as promotion of autophagy and apoptosis. These observations, together with those on enzyme homologs described in the companion articles, reveal conserved biochemical and biological roles for a widely distributed ribosomal oxygenase. PMID:24550463

  12. Tomato powder inhibits hepatic steatosis and inflammation potentially through restoring SIRT1 activity and adiponectin function independent of carotenoid cleavage enzymes in mice

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Scope: Beta-carotene-15,15'-oxygenase (BCO1) and beta-carotene-9',10'-oxygenase (BCO2) metabolize lycopene to biologically active metabolites, which can ameliorate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated the effects of tomato powder (TP), a whole food containing substantial lycopen...

  13. Regulation of human heme oxygenase-1 gene expression under thermal stress.

    PubMed

    Okinaga, S; Takahashi, K; Takeda, K; Yoshizawa, M; Fujita, H; Sasaki, H; Shibahara, S

    1996-06-15

    Heme oxygenase-1 is an essential enzyme in heme catabolism, and its human gene promoter contains a putative heat shock element (HHO-HSE). This study was designed to analyze the regulation of human heme oxygenase-1 gene expression under thermal stress. The amounts of heme oxygenase-1 protein were not increased by heat shock (incubation at 42 degrees C) in human alveolar macrophages and in a human erythroblastic cell line, YN-1-0-A, whereas heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was noticeably induced. However, heat shock factor does bind in vitro to HHO-HSE and the synthetic HHO-HSE by itself is sufficient to confer the increase in the transient expression of a reporter gene upon heat shock. The deletion of the sequence, located downstream from HHO-HSE, resulted in the activation of a reporter gene by heat shock. These results suggest that HHO-HSE is potentially functional but is repressed in vivo. Interestingly, heat shock abolished the remarkable increase in the levels of heme oxygenase-1 mRNA in YN-1-0-A cells treated with hemin or cadmium, in which HSP70 mRNA was noticeably induced. Furthermore, transient expression assays showed that heat shock inhibits the cadmium-mediated activation of the heme oxygenase-1 promoter, whereas the HSP70 gene promoter was activated upon heat shock. Such regulation of heme oxygenase-1 under thermal stress may be of physiologic significance in erythroid cells.

  14. Oxidative cyclizations in orthosomycin biosynthesis expand the known chemistry of an oxygenase superfamily

    DOE PAGES

    McCulloch, Kathryn M.; McCranie, Emilianne K.; Smith, Jarrod A.; ...

    2015-08-03

    Orthosomycins are oligosaccharide antibiotics that include avilamycin, everninomicin, and hygromycin B and are hallmarked by a rigidifying interglycosidic spirocyclic ortho-δ-lactone (orthoester) linkage between at least one pair of carbohydrates. A subset of orthosomycins additionally contain a carbohydrate capped by a methylenedioxy bridge. The orthoester linkage is necessary for antibiotic activity but rarely observed in natural products. Orthoester linkage and methylenedioxy bridge biosynthesis require similar oxidative cyclizations adjacent to a sugar ring. In this paper, we have identified a conserved group of nonheme iron, α-ketoglutarate–dependent oxygenases likely responsible for this chemistry. High-resolution crystal structures of the EvdO1 and EvdO2 oxygenases ofmore » everninomicin biosynthesis, the AviO1 oxygenase of avilamycin biosynthesis, and HygX of hygromycin B biosynthesis show how these enzymes accommodate large substrates, a challenge that requires a variation in metal coordination in HygX. Excitingly, the ternary complex of HygX with cosubstrate α-ketoglutarate and putative product hygromycin B identified an orientation of one glycosidic linkage of hygromycin B consistent with metal-catalyzed hydrogen atom abstraction from substrate. These structural results are complemented by gene disruption of the oxygenases evdO1 and evdMO1 from the everninomicin biosynthetic cluster, which demonstrate that functional oxygenase activity is critical for antibiotic production. Finally, our data therefore support a role for these enzymes in the production of key features of the orthosomycin antibiotics.« less

  15. Heme oxygenase-1 induction by (S)-enantiomer of YS-51 (YS-51S), a synthetic isoquinoline alkaloid, inhibits nitric oxide production and nuclear factor-kappaB translocation in ROS 17/2.8 cells activated with inflammatory stimulants.

    PubMed

    Chaea, Han-Jung; Kim, Hyung-Ryong; Kang, Young Jin; Hyun, Kwang Chul; Kim, Hye Jung; Seo, Han Geuk; Lee, Jae Heun; Yun-Choi, Hye Sook; Chang, Ki Churl

    2007-12-05

    Activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) pathway contributes to inflammation-induced osteoporosis by suppressing bone formation and causing osteoblast apoptosis. We investigated the mechanism of action by which YS-51S, a synthetic isoquinoline alkaloid, inhibits iNOS expression and nitric oxide (NO) production in ROS 17/28 osteoblast cells activated with the mixture of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and LPS (MIX). YS-51S, concentration- and time-dependently, increased heme oxygenase (HO-1) expression. Treatment with YS-51S 1 h prior to MIX significantly reduced MIX-induced NO production and iNOS expression with the IC50 to NO production of 47+/-3.3 microM. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and western blot analysis showed that YS-51S inhibited MIX-mediated activation and translocation of NF-kappaB to nucleus by suppressing the degradation of its inhibitory protein IkappaBalpha in cytoplasm. YS-51S also reduced NF-kappaB-luciferase activity. In addition, an HO-1 inhibitor ZnPPIX, antagonized the inhibitory effect of YS-51S on iNOS expression and DNA strand break induced by MIX, indicating prevention of NO production by YS-51S is associated with HO-1 activity. Moreover, YS-51S inhibited the oxidation of cytochrome c(2+) by peroxynitrite (PN). Our results indicated that YS-51S may be beneficial in NO-mediated inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis by alleviating iNOS expression and NO-mediated cell death of osteoblast with 1) inducing HO-1 expression, 2) interfering the activation of NF-kappaB and 3) quenching of PN.

  16. Ectopic Expression of a Glycine soja myo-Inositol Oxygenase Gene (GsMIOX1a) in Arabidopsis Enhances Tolerance to Alkaline Stress

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Chen; Sun, Xiaoli; Duanmu, Huizi; Yu, Yang; Liu, Ailin; Xiao, Jialei; Zhu, Yanming

    2015-01-01

    Myo-inositol participates in various aspects of plant physiology, and myo-inositol oxygenase is the key enzyme of the myo-inositol oxygenation pathway. Previous studies indicated that myo-inositol oxygenase may play a role in plant responses to abiotic stresses. In this study, we focused on the functional characterization of GsMIOX1a, a remarkable alkaline stress-responsive gene of Glycine soja 07256, based on RNA-seq data. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we demonstrated that GsMIOX1a is rapidly induced by alkaline stress and expressed predominantly in flowers. We also elucidated the positive function of GsMIOX1a in the alkaline response in the wild type, atmiox1 mutant as well as GsMIOX1a-overexpressing Arabidopsis. We determined that atmiox1 mutant decreased Arabidopsis tolerance to alkaline stress, whereas GsMIOX1a overexpression increased tolerance. Moreover, the expression levels of some alkaline stress-responsive and inducible marker genes, including H+-Ppase, NADP-ME, KIN1 and RD29B, were also up-regulated in GsMIOX1a overexpression lines compared with the wild type and atmiox1 mutant. Together, these results suggest that the GsMIOX1a gene positively regulates plant tolerance to alkaline stress. This is the first report to demonstrate that ectopic expression of myo-inositol oxygenase improves alkaline tolerance in plants. PMID:26091094

  17. The Function and Catalysis of 2-Oxoglutarate-Dependent Oxygenases Involved in Plant Flavonoid Biosynthesis

    PubMed Central

    Cheng, Ai-Xia; Han, Xiao-Juan; Wu, Yi-Feng; Lou, Hong-Xiang

    2014-01-01

    Flavonoids are secondary metabolites derived from phenylalanine and acetate metabolism. They fulfil a variety of functions in plants and have health benefits for humans. During the synthesis of the tricyclic flavonoid natural products in plants, oxidative modifications to the central C ring are catalyzed by four of FeII and 2-oxoglutarate dependent (2-ODD) oxygenases, namely flavone synthase I (FNS I), flavonol synthase (FLS), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) and flavanone 3β-hydroxylase (FHT). FNS I, FLS and ANS are involved in desaturation of C2–C3 of flavonoids and FHT in hydroxylation of C3. FNS I, which is restricted to the Apiaceae species and in rice, is predicted to have evolved from FHT by duplication. Due to their sequence similarity and substrate specificity, FLS and ANS, which interact with the α surface of the substrate, belong to a group of dioxygenases having a broad substrate specificity, while FNS I and FHT are more selective, and interact with the naringenin β surface. Here, we summarize recent findings regarding the function of the four 2-ODD oxygenases and the relationship between their catalytic activity, their polypeptide sequence and their tertiary structure. PMID:24434621

  18. Induction of heme oxygenase 1 by nitrosative stress. A role for nitroxyl anion.

    PubMed

    Naughton, Patrick; Foresti, Roberta; Bains, Sandip K; Hoque, Martha; Green, Colin J; Motterlini, Roberto

    2002-10-25

    Nitric oxide and S-nitrosothiols modulate a variety of important physiological activities. In vascular cells, agents that release NO and donate nitrosonium cation (NO(+)), such as S-nitrosoglutathione, are potent inducers of the antioxidant protein heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) (Foresti, R., Clark, J. E., Green, C. J., and Motterlini, R. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 18411-18417; Motterlini, R., Foresti, R., Bassi, R., Calabrese, V., Clark, J. E., and Green, C. J. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 13613-13620). Here, we report that Angeli's salt (AS) (0.25-2 mm), a compound that releases nitroxyl anion (NO(-)) at physiological pH, induces HO-1 mRNA and protein expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, resulting in increased heme oxygenase activity in rat H9c2 cells. A time course analysis revealed that NO(-)-mediated HO-1 expression is transient and gradually disappears within 24 h, in accordance with the short half-life of AS at 37 degrees C (t(12) = 2.3 min). Interestingly, multiple additions of AS at lower concentrations (50 or 100 microm) over a period of time still promoted a significant increase in heme oxygenase activity. Experiments performed using a NO scavenger and the NO electrode confirmed that NO(-), not NO, is the species involved in HO-1 induction by AS; however, the effect on heme oxygenase activity can be amplified by accelerating the rate of NO(-) oxidation. N-Acetylcysteine almost completely abolished AS-mediated induction of HO-1, whereas a glutathione synthesis inhibitor (buthionine sulfoximine) significantly decreased heme oxygenase activation by AS, indicating that sulfydryl groups are crucial targets in the regulation of HO-1 expression by NO(-). We conclude that NO(-), in analogy with other reactive nitrogen species, is a potent inducer of heme oxygenase activity and HO-1 protein expression. These findings indicate that heme oxygenase can act both as a sensor to and target of redox-based mechanisms involving NO and extend our knowledge on the biological function of HO-1 in response to nitrosative stress.

  19. CLK-1/Coq7p is a DMQ mono-oxygenase and a new member of the di-iron carboxylate protein family.

    PubMed

    Rea, S

    2001-12-14

    Strains of Caenorhabditis elegans mutant for clk-1 exhibit a 20-40% increase in mean lifespan. clk-1 encodes a mitochondrial protein thought to be either an enzyme or regulatory molecule acting within the ubiquinone biosynthesis pathway. Here CLK-1 is shown to be related to the ubiquinol oxidase, alternative oxidase, and belong to the functionally diverse di-iron-carboxylate protein family which includes bacterioferritin and methane mono-oxygenase. Construction and analysis of a homology model indicates CLK-1 is a 2-polyprenyl-3-methyl-6-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone mono-oxygenase as originally predicted. Analysis of known CLK-1/Coq7p mutations also supports this notion. These findings raise the possibility of developing CLK-1-specific inhibitors to test for lifespan extension in higher organisms.

  20. Genome-wide analysis of carotenoid cleavage oxygenase genes and their responses to various phytohormones and abiotic stresses in apple (Malus domestica).

    PubMed

    Chen, Hongfei; Zuo, Xiya; Shao, Hongxia; Fan, Sheng; Ma, Juanjuan; Zhang, Dong; Zhao, Caiping; Yan, Xiangyan; Liu, Xiaojie; Han, Mingyu

    2018-02-01

    Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs) are able to cleave carotenoids to produce apocarotenoids and their derivatives, which are important for plant growth and development. In this study, 21 apple CCO genes were identified and divided into six groups based on their phylogenetic relationships. We further characterized the apple CCO genes in terms of chromosomal distribution, structure and the presence of cis-elements in the promoter. We also predicted the cellular localization of the encoded proteins. An analysis of the synteny within the apple genome revealed that tandem, segmental, and whole-genome duplication events likely contributed to the expansion of the apple carotenoid oxygenase gene family. An additional integrated synteny analysis identified orthologous carotenoid oxygenase genes between apple and Arabidopsis thaliana, which served as references for the functional analysis of the apple CCO genes. The net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance of leaves decreased, while leaf stomatal density increased under drought and saline conditions. Tissue-specific gene expression analyses revealed diverse spatiotemporal expression patterns. Finally, hormone and abiotic stress treatments indicated that many apple CCO genes are responsive to various phytohormones as well as drought and salinity stresses. The genome-wide identification of apple CCO genes and the analyses of their expression patterns described herein may provide a solid foundation for future studies examining the regulation and functions of this gene family. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  1. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii LFO1 Is an IsdG Family Heme Oxygenase

    DOE PAGES

    Lojek, Lisa J.; Farrand, Allison J.; Wisecaver, Jennifer H.; ...

    2017-08-16

    Heme is essential for respiration across all domains of life. However, heme accumulation can lead to toxicity if cells are unable to either degrade or export heme or its toxic by-products. Under aerobic conditions, heme degradation is performed by heme oxygenases, enzymes which utilize oxygen to cleave the tetrapyrrole ring of heme. The HO-1 family of heme oxygenases has been identified in both bacterial and eukaryotic cells, whereas the IsdG family has thus far been described only in bacteria. We identified a hypothetical protein in the eukaryotic green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which encodes a protein containing an antibiotic biosynthesis monooxygenasemore » (ABM) domain consistent with those associated with IsdG family members. This protein, which we have named LFO1, degrades heme, contains similarities in predicted secondary structures to IsdG family members, and retains the functionally conserved catalytic residues found in all IsdG family heme oxygenases. These data establish LFO1 as an IsdG family member and extend our knowledge of the distribution of IsdG family members beyond bacteria. To gain further insight into the distribution of the IsdG family, we used the LFO1 sequence to identify 866 IsdG family members, including representatives from all domains of life. These results indicate that the distribution of IsdG family heme oxygenases is more expansive than previously appreciated, underscoring the broad relevance of this enzyme family. This work establishes a protein in the freshwater alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as an IsdG family heme oxygenase. This protein, LFO1, exhibits predicted secondary structure and catalytic residues conserved in IsdG family members, in addition to a chloroplast localization sequence. Additionally, the catabolite that results from the degradation of heme by LFO1 is distinct from that of other heme degradation products. Using LFO1 as a seed, we performed phylogenetic analysis, revealing that the IsdG family is conserved in all domains of life. Also, C. reinhardtii contains two previously identified HO-1 family heme oxygenases, making C. reinhardtii the first organism shown to contain two families of heme oxygenases. These data indicate that C. reinhardtii may have unique mechanisms for regulating iron homeostasis within the chloroplast.« less

  2. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii LFO1 Is an IsdG Family Heme Oxygenase

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

    Lojek, Lisa J.; Farrand, Allison J.; Wisecaver, Jennifer H.

    Heme is essential for respiration across all domains of life. However, heme accumulation can lead to toxicity if cells are unable to either degrade or export heme or its toxic by-products. Under aerobic conditions, heme degradation is performed by heme oxygenases, enzymes which utilize oxygen to cleave the tetrapyrrole ring of heme. The HO-1 family of heme oxygenases has been identified in both bacterial and eukaryotic cells, whereas the IsdG family has thus far been described only in bacteria. We identified a hypothetical protein in the eukaryotic green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which encodes a protein containing an antibiotic biosynthesis monooxygenasemore » (ABM) domain consistent with those associated with IsdG family members. This protein, which we have named LFO1, degrades heme, contains similarities in predicted secondary structures to IsdG family members, and retains the functionally conserved catalytic residues found in all IsdG family heme oxygenases. These data establish LFO1 as an IsdG family member and extend our knowledge of the distribution of IsdG family members beyond bacteria. To gain further insight into the distribution of the IsdG family, we used the LFO1 sequence to identify 866 IsdG family members, including representatives from all domains of life. These results indicate that the distribution of IsdG family heme oxygenases is more expansive than previously appreciated, underscoring the broad relevance of this enzyme family. This work establishes a protein in the freshwater alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as an IsdG family heme oxygenase. This protein, LFO1, exhibits predicted secondary structure and catalytic residues conserved in IsdG family members, in addition to a chloroplast localization sequence. Additionally, the catabolite that results from the degradation of heme by LFO1 is distinct from that of other heme degradation products. Using LFO1 as a seed, we performed phylogenetic analysis, revealing that the IsdG family is conserved in all domains of life. Also, C. reinhardtii contains two previously identified HO-1 family heme oxygenases, making C. reinhardtii the first organism shown to contain two families of heme oxygenases. These data indicate that C. reinhardtii may have unique mechanisms for regulating iron homeostasis within the chloroplast.« less

  3. Evidence for the Slow Reaction of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase 2 with Oxygen

    PubMed Central

    Flashman, Emily; Hoffart, Lee M.; Hamed, Refaat B.; Bollinger, J. Martin; Krebs, Carsten; Schofield, Christopher J.

    2010-01-01

    SUMMARY The response of animals to hypoxia is mediated by the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF). Human HIF is regulated by four Fe(II) and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG) dependent oxygenases: Prolyl hydroxylase domain enzymes (PHDs or EGLNs) 1–3 catalyse hydroxylation of two prolyl-residues in HIF, triggering its degradation by the proteasome. Factor inhibiting HIF (FIH) catalyses hydroxylation of an asparagine-residue in HIF, inhibiting its transcriptional activity. Collectively, the HIF hydroxylases negatively regulate HIF in response to increasing oxygen concentration. Prolyl hydroxylase domain 2 (PHD2) is the most important oxygen sensor in human cells; however the underlying kinetic basis of the oxygen sensing function of PHD2 is unclear. We report analyses of the reaction of PHD2 with oxygen. Chemical quench/mass spectrometry experiments showed that reaction of a complex of PHD2, Fe(II), 2OG and the C-terminal oxygen-dependent degradation domain of HIF-α (CODD) with oxygen to form hydroxylated CODD and succinate is much slower (~100 fold) than for other similarly studied 2OG oxygenases. Stopped flow/UV-visible spectroscopy experiments showed that the reaction produces a relatively stable species absorbing at 320nm; Mössbauer spectroscopic experiments implied that this species is likely not a Fe(IV)=O intermediate, as observed for other 2OG oxygenases. Overall the results suggest that, at least compared to other studied 2OG oxygenases, PHD2 reacts relatively slowly with oxygen, a property that may be associated with its function as an oxygen sensor. PMID:20840591

  4. The protein inhibitor of nNOS (PIN/DLC1/LC8) binding does not inhibit the NADPH-dependent heme reduction in nNOS, a key step in NO synthesis

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

    Parhad, Swapnil S.; Jaiswal, Deepa; TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, 21 Brundavan Colony, Narsingi, Hyderabad 500075

    The neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is an essential enzyme involved in the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), a potent neurotransmitter. Although previous studies have indicated that the dynein light chain 1 (DLC1) binding to nNOS could inhibit the NO synthesis, the claim is challenged by contradicting reports. Thus, the mechanism of nNOS regulation remained unclear. nNOS has a heme-bearing, Cytochrome P450 core, and the functional enzyme is a dimer. The electron flow from NADPH to Flavin, and finally to the heme of the paired nNOS subunit within a dimer, is facilitated upon calmodulin (CaM) binding. Here, we show thatmore » DLC1 binding to nNOS-CaM complex does not affect the electron transport from the reductase to the oxygenase domain. Therefore, it cannot inhibit the rate of NADPH-dependent heme reduction in nNOS, which results in L-Arginine oxidation. Also, the NO release activity does not decrease with increasing DLC1 concentration in the reaction mix, which further confirmed that DLC1 does not inhibit nNOS activity. These findings suggest that the DLC1 binding may have other implications for the nNOS function in the cell. - Highlights: • The effect of interaction of nNOS with DLC1 has been debatable with contradicting reports in literature. • Purified DLC1 has no effect on electron transport between reductase and oxygenase domain of purified nNOS-CaM. • The NO release activity of nNOS was not altered by DLC1, supporting that DLC1 does not inhibit the enzyme. • These findings suggest that the DLC1 binding may have other implications for the nNOS function in the cell.« less

  5. Cloning and Expression of cDNA for Rat Heme Oxygenase

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shibahara, Shigeki; Muller, Rita; Taguchi, Hayao; Yoshida, Tadashi

    1985-12-01

    Two cDNA clones for rat heme oxygenase have been isolated from a rat spleen cDNA library in λ gt11 by immunological screening using a specific polyclonal antibody. One of these clones has an insert of 1530 nucleotides that contains the entire protein-coding region. To confirm that the isolated cDNA encodes heme oxygenase, we transfected monkey kidney cells (COS-7) with the cDNA carried in a simian virus 40 vector. The heme oxygenase was highly expressed in endoplasmic reticulum of transfected cells. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned cDNA was determined and the primary structure of heme oxygenase was deduced. Heme oxygenase is composed of 289 amino acids and has one hydrophobic segment at its carboxyl terminus, which is probably important for the insertion of heme oxygenase into endoplasmic reticulum. The cloned cDNA was used to analyze the induction of heme oxygenase in rat liver by treatment with CoCl2 or with hemin. RNA blot analysis showed that both CoCl2 and hemin increased the amount of hybridizable mRNA, suggesting that these substances may act at the transcriptional level to increase the amount of heme oxygenase.

  6. RoxB Is a Novel Type of Rubber Oxygenase That Combines Properties of Rubber Oxygenase RoxA and Latex Clearing Protein (Lcp).

    PubMed

    Birke, Jakob; Röther, Wolf; Jendrossek, Dieter

    2017-07-15

    Only two types of rubber oxygenases, rubber oxygenase (RoxA) and latex clearing protein (Lcp), have been described so far. RoxA proteins (RoxAs) are c -type cytochromes of ≈70 kDa produced by Gram-negative rubber-degrading bacteria, and they cleave polyisoprene into 12-oxo-4,8-dimethyltrideca-4,8-diene-1-al (ODTD), a C 15 oligo-isoprenoid, as the major end product. Lcps are common among Gram-positive rubber degraders and do not share amino acid sequence similarities with RoxAs. Furthermore, Lcps have much smaller molecular masses (≈40 kDa), are b -type cytochromes, and cleave polyisoprene to a mixture of C 20 , C 25 , C 30 , and higher oligo-isoprenoids as end products. In this article, we purified a new type of rubber oxygenase, RoxB Xsp (RoxB of Xanthomonas sp. strain 35Y). RoxB Xsp is distantly related to RoxAs and resembles RoxAs with respect to molecular mass (70.3 kDa for mature protein) and cofactor content (2 c -type hemes). However, RoxB Xsp differs from all currently known RoxAs in having a distinctive product spectrum of C 20 , C 25 , C 30 , and higher oligo-isoprenoids that has been observed only for Lcps so far. Purified RoxB Xsp revealed the highest specific activity of 4.5 U/mg (at 23°C) of all currently known rubber oxygenases and exerts a synergistic effect on the efficiency of polyisoprene cleavage by RoxA Xsp RoxB homologs were identified in several other Gram-negative rubber-degrading species, pointing to a prominent function of RoxB for the biodegradation of rubber in Gram-negative bacteria. IMPORTANCE The enzymatic cleavage of rubber (polyisoprene) is of high environmental importance given that enormous amounts of rubber waste materials are permanently released (e.g., by abrasion of tires). Research from the last decade has discovered rubber oxygenase A, RoxA, and latex clearing protein (Lcp) as being responsible for the primary enzymatic attack on the hydrophobic and water-insoluble biopolymer poly( cis -1,4-isoprene) in Gram-negative and Gram-positive rubber-degrading bacteria, respectively. Here, we provide evidence that a third type of rubber oxygenase is present in Gram-negative rubber-degrading species. Due to its characteristics, we suggest the designation RoxB for the new type of rubber oxygenase. Bioinformatic analysis of genome sequences indicates the presence of roxB homologs in other Gram-negative rubber degraders. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

  7. Rapid, convenient method for screening imidazole-containing compounds for heme oxygenase inhibition.

    PubMed

    Vlahakis, Jason Z; Rahman, Mona N; Roman, Gheorghe; Jia, Zongchao; Nakatsu, Kanji; Szarek, Walter A

    2011-01-01

    Sensitive assays for measuring heme oxygenase activity have been based on the gas-chromatographic detection of carbon monoxide using elaborate, expensive equipment. The present study describes a rapid and convenient method for screening imidazole-containing candidates for inhibitory activity against heme oxygenase using a plate reader, based on the spectroscopic evaluation of heme degradation. A PowerWave XS plate reader was used to monitor the absorbance (as a function of time) of heme bound to purified truncated human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) in the individual wells of a standard 96-well plate (with or without the addition of a test compound). The degradation of heme by heme oxygenase-1 was initiated using l-ascorbic acid, and the collected relevant absorbance data were analyzed by three different methods to calculate the percent control activity occurring in wells containing test compounds relative to that occurring in control wells with no test compound present. In the cases of wells containing inhibitory compounds, significant shifts in λ(max) from 404 to near 412 nm were observed as well as a decrease in the rate of heme degradation relative to that of the control. Each of the three methods of data processing (overall percent drop in absorbance over 1.5h, initial rate of reaction determined over the first 5 min, and estimated pseudo first-order reaction rate constant determined over 1.5h) gave similar and reproducible results for percent control activity. The fastest and easiest method of data analysis was determined to be that using initial rates, involving data acquisition for only 5 min once reactions have been initiated using l-ascorbic acid. The results of the study demonstrate that this simple assay based on the spectroscopic detection of heme represents a rapid, convenient method to determine the relative inhibitory activity of candidate compounds, and is useful in quickly screening a series or library of compounds for heme oxygenase inhibition. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Molecular Cloning and Analysis of the Tryptophan oxygenase Gene in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori

    PubMed Central

    Yan, Liu; Zhi-Qi, Meng; Bao-Long, Niu; Li-Hua, He; Hong-Biao, Weng; Wei-Feng, Shen

    2008-01-01

    A Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) gene encoding tryptophan oxygenase has been molecularly cloned and analyzed. The tryptophan oxygenase cDNA had 1374 nucleotides that encoded a 401 amino acid protein with an estimated molecular mass of 46.47 kDa and a PI of 5.88. RT-PCR analysis showed that the B. mori tryptophan oxygenase gene was transcribed in all examined stages. Tryptophan oxygenase proteins are relatively well conserved among different orders of arthropods. PMID:20331401

  9. The use of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) to concentrate inducers of fish hepatic mixed function oxygenase (MFO): Chapter 12

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Parrott, Joanne L.; Tillitt, Donald E.

    1997-01-01

    Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) are sampling and concentrating devices comprised of a thin polyethylene membrane containing a small quantity of triolein. They have previously been used to sample air, water and sediments and have concentrated fish tainting compounds from pulp mill effluents. The ability to induce mixed function oxygenases (MFOs) is a property of a variety of organic effluents, but the compound(s) responsible for induction have not been identified. We wanted to see if SPMDs would accumulate the MFO-inducing chemical(s) from pulp mill effluents and oil refinery effluents. Dialysates of effluent-exposed SPMDs induced ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in a fish (Poeciliopsis lucida) hepatoma cell line, PLHC-1. In pulp mill effluents and oil sands mining and refining wastewaters, potencies varied greatly, from a few to thousands of pg TCDD-EQ/g SPMD. Low levels of inducers were seen in four pulp mills on the Athabasca R., and higher levels at one New Brunswick bleached sulphite and two Ontario bleached kraft pulp mills. The highest levels of MFO inducers were in SPMDs deployed for 14 days in wastewater from an oil sands upgrading facility, as well as SPMDs deployed at two sites on Athabasca River tributaries in the oil sands area. This suggests that natural erosion and weathering, as well as industrial processing of the oil sands, can release potent MFO inducers. Background (reference) induction by SPMD extracts ranged from non-detectable (<1) to 20 pg TCDD-EQ/g SPMD. Reactive clean-up of one of the bleached kraft mill effluent-exposed SPMD extracts on a sulfuric acid/silica gel column resulted in loss of the inducer(s), which suggested a polyaromatic hydrocarbon-type of inducing chemical(s), rather than a dioxin or furan inducer. SPMD deployments proved useful in the detection of inducers within the pulp mill process streams as extracts of SPMDs exposed to untreated bleached sulphite effluent were ten to twenty times as potent as those from secondary-treated effluent. Little is known about the nature and identity of the MFO inducers from pulp mill and refinery effluents, but the use of SPMDs as concentrators of MFO-inducing substances appears a promising avenue for future research.

  10. In vitro Activation of heme oxygenase-2 by menadione and its analogs

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Previously, we reported that menadione activated rat, native heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) and human recombinant heme oxygenase-2 selectively; it did not activate spleen, microsomal heme oxygenase-1. The purpose of this study was to explore some structure–activity relationships of this activation and the idea that redox properties may be an important aspect of menadione efficacy. Methods Heme oxygenase activity was determined in vitro using rat spleen and brain microsomes as the sources of heme oxygenase-1 and −2, respectively, as well as recombinant, human heme oxygenase-2. Results Menadione analogs with bulky aliphatic groups at position-3, namely vitamins K1 and K2, were not able to activate HO-2. In contrast, several compounds with similar bulky but less lipophilic moieties at position-2 (and −3) were able to activate HO-2 many fold; these compounds included polar, rigid, furan-containing naphthoquinones, furan-benzoxazine naphthoquinones, 2-(aminophenylphenyl)-3-piperidin-1-yl naphthoquinones. To explore the idea that redox properties might be involved in menadione efficacy, we tested analogs such as 1,4-dimethoxy-2-methylnaphthalene, pentafluoromenadione, monohalogenated naphthoquinones, α-tetralone and 1,4-naphthoquinone. All of these compounds were inactive except for 1,4-naphthoquinone. Menadione activated full-length recombinant human heme oxygenase-2 (FL-hHO-2) as effectively as rat brain enzyme, but it did not activate rat spleen heme oxygenase. Conclusions These observations are consistent with the idea that naphthoquinones such as menadione bind to a receptor in HO-2 and activate the enzyme through a mechanism that may involve redox properties. PMID:24533775

  11. In vitro Activation of heme oxygenase-2 by menadione and its analogs.

    PubMed

    Vukomanovic, Dragic; Rahman, Mona N; Bilokin, Yaroslav; Golub, Andriy G; Brien, James F; Szarek, Walter A; Jia, Zongchao; Nakatsu, Kanji

    2014-02-18

    Previously, we reported that menadione activated rat, native heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) and human recombinant heme oxygenase-2 selectively; it did not activate spleen, microsomal heme oxygenase-1. The purpose of this study was to explore some structure-activity relationships of this activation and the idea that redox properties may be an important aspect of menadione efficacy. Heme oxygenase activity was determined in vitro using rat spleen and brain microsomes as the sources of heme oxygenase-1 and -2, respectively, as well as recombinant, human heme oxygenase-2. Menadione analogs with bulky aliphatic groups at position-3, namely vitamins K1 and K2, were not able to activate HO-2. In contrast, several compounds with similar bulky but less lipophilic moieties at position-2 (and -3) were able to activate HO-2 many fold; these compounds included polar, rigid, furan-containing naphthoquinones, furan-benzoxazine naphthoquinones, 2-(aminophenylphenyl)-3-piperidin-1-yl naphthoquinones. To explore the idea that redox properties might be involved in menadione efficacy, we tested analogs such as 1,4-dimethoxy-2-methylnaphthalene, pentafluoromenadione, monohalogenated naphthoquinones, α-tetralone and 1,4-naphthoquinone. All of these compounds were inactive except for 1,4-naphthoquinone. Menadione activated full-length recombinant human heme oxygenase-2 (FL-hHO-2) as effectively as rat brain enzyme, but it did not activate rat spleen heme oxygenase. These observations are consistent with the idea that naphthoquinones such as menadione bind to a receptor in HO-2 and activate the enzyme through a mechanism that may involve redox properties.

  12. VTVH-MCD and DFT studies of thiolate bonding to [FeNO]7/[FeO2]8 complexes of isopenicillin N synthase: substrate determination of oxidase versus oxygenase activity in nonheme Fe enzymes.

    PubMed

    Brown, Christina D; Neidig, Michael L; Neibergall, Matthew B; Lipscomb, John D; Solomon, Edward I

    2007-06-13

    Isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) is a unique mononuclear nonheme Fe enzyme that catalyzes the four-electron oxidative double ring closure of its substrate ACV. A combination of spectroscopic techniques including EPR, absorbance, circular dichroism (CD), magnetic CD, and variable-temperature, variable-field MCD (VTVH-MCD) were used to evaluate the geometric and electronic structure of the [FeNO]7 complex of IPNS coordinated with the ACV thiolate ligand. Density Function Theory (DFT) calculations correlated to the spectroscopic data were used to generate an experimentally calibrated bonding description of the Fe-IPNS-ACV-NO complex. New spectroscopic features introduced by the binding of the ACV thiolate at 13 100 and 19 800 cm-1 are assigned as the NO pi*(ip) --> Fe dx2-y2 and S pi--> Fe dx2-y2 charge transfer (CT) transitions, respectively. Configuration interaction mixes S CT character into the NO pi*(ip) --> Fe dx2-y2 CT transition, which is observed experimentally from the VTVH-MCD data from this transition. Calculations on the hypothetical {FeO2}8 complex of Fe-IPNS-ACV reveal that the configuration interaction present in the [FeNO]7 complex results in an unoccupied frontier molecular orbital (FMO) with correct orientation and distal O character for H-atom abstraction from the ACV substrate. The energetics of NO/O2 binding to Fe-IPNS-ACV were evaluated and demonstrate that charge donation from the ACV thiolate ligand renders the formation of the FeIII-superoxide complex energetically favorable, driving the reaction at the Fe center. This single center reaction allows IPNS to avoid the O2 bridged binding generally invoked in other nonheme Fe enzymes that leads to oxygen insertion (i.e., oxygenase function) and determines the oxidase activity of IPNS.

  13. Heme oxygenase: the key to renal function regulation

    PubMed Central

    Cao, Jian; Sacerdoti, David; Li, Xiaoying; Drummond, George

    2009-01-01

    Heme oxygenase (HO) plays a critical role in attenuating the production of reactive oxygen species through its ability to degrade heme in an enzymatic process that leads to the production of equimolar amounts of carbon monoxide and biliverdin/bilirubin and the release of free iron. The present review examines the beneficial role of HO-1 (inducible form of HO) that is achieved by increased expression of this enzyme in renal tissue. The influence of the HO system on renal physiology, obesity, vascular dysfunction, and blood pressure regulation is reviewed, and the clinical potential of increased levels of HO-1 protein, HO activity, and HO-derived end products of heme degradation is discussed relative to renal disease. The use of pharmacological and genetic approaches to investigate the role of the HO system in the kidney is key to the development of therapeutic approaches to prevent the adverse effects that accrue due to an impairment in renal function. PMID:19570878

  14. ARSENITE INDUCTION OF HEME OXYGENASE AS A BIOMARKER

    EPA Science Inventory

    ARSENITE INDUCTION OF HEME OXYGENASE AS A BIOMARKER

    Useful biomarkers of arsenic effects in both experimental animals and humans are needed. Arsenate and arsenite are good inducers of rat hepatic and renal heme oxygenase (HO); monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsi...

  15. Retinal is formed from apo-carotenoids in Nostoc sp. PCC7120: in vitro characterization of an apo-carotenoid oxygenase

    PubMed Central

    Scherzinger, Daniel; Ruch, Sandra; Kloer, Daniel P.; Wilde, Annegret; Al-Babili, Salim

    2006-01-01

    The sensory rhodopsin from Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. PCC7120 is the first cyanobacterial retinylidene protein identified. Here, we report on NosACO (Nostoc apo-carotenoid oxygenase), encoded by the ORF (open reading frame) all4284, as the candidate responsible for the formation of the required chromophore, retinal. In contrast with the enzymes from animals, NosACO converts β-apo-carotenals instead of β-carotene into retinal in vitro. The identity of the enzymatic products was proven by HPLC and gas chromatography–MS. NosACO exhibits a wide substrate specificity with respect to chain lengths and functional end-groups, converting β-apo-carotenals, (3R)-3-hydroxy-β-apo-carotenals and the corresponding alcohols into retinal and (3R)-3-hydroxyretinal respectively. However, kinetic analyses revealed very divergent Km and Vmax values. On the basis of the crystal structure of SynACO (Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 apo-carotenoid oxygenase), a related enzyme showing similar enzymatic activity, we designed a homology model of the native NosACO. The deduced structure explains the absence of β-carotene-cleavage activity and indicates that NosACO is a monotopic membrane protein. Accordingly, NosACO could be readily reconstituted into liposomes. To localize SynACO in vivo, a Synechocystis knock-out strain was generated expressing SynACO as the sole carotenoid oxygenase. Western-blot analyses showed that the main portion of SynACO occurred in a membrane-bound form. PMID:16759173

  16. 5-Carboxy-8-hydroxyquinoline is a Broad Spectrum 2-Oxoglutarate Oxygenase Inhibitor which Causes Iron Translocation

    PubMed Central

    Aik, WeiShen; Che, Ka Hing; Li, Xuan Shirley; Kristensen, Jan B. L.; King, Oliver N. F.; Chan, Mun Chiang; Yeoh, Kar Kheng; Choi, Hwanho; Walport, Louise J.; Thinnes, Cyrille C.; Bush, Jacob T.; Lejeune, Clarisse; Rydzik, Anna M.; Rose, Nathan R.; Bagg, Eleanor A.; McDonough, Michael A.; Krojer, Tobias; Yue, Wyatt W.; Ng, Stanley S.; Olsen, Lars; Brennan, Paul E.; Oppermann, Udo; Muller-Knapp, Susanne; Klose, Robert J.; Ratcliffe, Peter J.; Schofield, Christopher J.; Kawamura, Akane

    2015-01-01

    2-Oxoglutarate and iron dependent oxygenases are therapeutic targets for human diseases. Using a representative 2OG oxygenase panel, we compare the inhibitory activities of 5-carboxy-8-hydroxyquinoline (IOX1) and 4-carboxy-8-hydroxyquinoline (4C8HQ) with that of two other commonly used 2OG oxygenase inhibitors, N-oxalylglycine (NOG) and 2,4-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (2,4-PDCA). The results reveal that IOX1 has a broad spectrum of activity, as demonstrated by the inhibition of transcription factor hydroxylases, representatives of all 2OG dependent histone demethylase subfamilies, nucleic acid demethylases and γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase. Cellular assays show that, unlike NOG and 2,4-PDCA, IOX1 is active against both cytosolic and nuclear 2OG oxygenases without ester derivatisation. Unexpectedly, crystallographic studies on these oxygenases demonstrate that IOX1, but not 4C8HQ, can cause translocation of the active site metal, revealing a rare example of protein ligand-induced metal movement PMID:26682036

  17. Rubisco Activase Activity Assays

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activase functions as a mechano-chemical motor protein using the energy from ATP hydrolysis to contort the structure of its target protein, Rubisco. This action modulates the activation state of Rubisco by removing tightly-bound inhibitory s...

  18. AN ENZYME LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY FOR THE HO-1 ISOFORM OF HEME OXYGENASE

    EPA Science Inventory

    AN ENZYME LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY FOR THE HO-1 ISOFORM OF HEME OXYGENASE

    Heme oxygenase (HO) occurs in biological tissues as two major isoforms HO-1 and HO-2. HO-1 is inducible by many treatments, particularly oxidative stress-related conditions such as depletion of gl...

  19. Stereospecific Synthesis of 23-Hydroxyundecylprodiginines and Analogues and Conversion to Antimalarial Premarineosins via a Rieske Oxygenase Catalyzed Bicyclization

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Facile and highly efficient synthetic routes for the synthesis of (S)- and (R)-23-hydroxyundecylprodiginines ((23S)-2, and (23R)-2), 23-ketoundecylprodiginine (3), and deuterium-labeled 23-hydroxyundecylprodiginine ([23-d]-2) have been developed. We demonstrated a novel Rieske oxygenase MarG catalyzed stereoselective bicyclization of (23S)-2 to premarineosin A (4), a key step in the tailoring process of the biosynthesis of marineosins, using a marG heterologous expression system. The synthesis of various A–C-ring functionalized prodiginines 32–41 was achieved to investigate the substrate promiscuity of MarG. The two analogues 32 and 33 exhibit antimalarial and cytotoxic activities stronger than those of the marineosin intermediate 2, against Plasmodium falciparum strains (CQS-D6, CQR-Dd2, and 7G8) and hepatocellular HepG2 cancer cell line, respectively. Feeding of 34–36 to Streptomyces venezuelae expressing marG led to production of novel premarineosins, paving a way for the production of marineosin analogues via a combinatorial synthetic/biosynthetic approach. This study presents the first example of oxidative bicyclization mediated by a Rieske oxygenase. PMID:25380131

  20. Molybdoenzyme That Catalyzes the Anaerobic Hydroxylation of a Tertiary Carbon Atom in the Side Chain of Cholesterol*

    PubMed Central

    Dermer, Juri; Fuchs, Georg

    2012-01-01

    Cholesterol is a ubiquitous hydrocarbon compound that can serve as substrate for microbial growth. This steroid and related cyclic compounds are recalcitrant due to their low solubility in water, complex ring structure, the presence of quaternary carbon atoms, and the low number of functional groups. Aerobic metabolism therefore makes use of reactive molecular oxygen as co-substrate of oxygenases to hydroxylate and cleave the sterane ring system. Consequently, anaerobic metabolism must substitute oxygenase-catalyzed steps by O2-independent hydroxylases. Here we show that one of the initial reactions of anaerobic cholesterol metabolism in the β-proteobacterium Sterolibacterium denitrificans is catalyzed by an unprecedented enzyme that hydroxylates the tertiary C25 atom of the side chain without molecular oxygen forming a tertiary alcohol. This steroid C25 dehydrogenase belongs to the dimethyl sulfoxide dehydrogenase molybdoenzyme family, the closest relative being ethylbenzene dehydrogenase. It is a heterotrimer, which is probably located at the periplasmic side of the membrane and contains one molybdenum cofactor, five [Fe-S] clusters, and one heme b. The draft genome of the organism contains several genes coding for related enzymes that probably replace oxygenases in steroid metabolism. PMID:22942275

  1. Defense mechanism of heme oxygenase-1 against cytotoxic and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand inducing effects of hydrogen peroxide in human periodontal ligament cells.

    PubMed

    Pi, S-H; Kim, S-C; Kim, H-T; Lee, H-J; Lee, S-K; Kim, E-C

    2007-08-01

    Although induction of heme oxygenase-1 by H2O2 has been reported, the protective role of heme oxygenase-1 against the cytotoxic and osteoclastogenic effects of H2O2 have not been elucidated in human periodontal ligament cells. The aim of this work was to investigate the defense mechanism of heme oxygenase-1 on H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and to analyze the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin as markers for osteoclast differentiation in periodontal ligament cells. Using human periodontal ligament cells, cytotoxicity was measured by the 3,4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and expression of heme oxygenase-1, RANKL, and osteoprotegerin mRNA was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. H2O2 produced a cytotoxic effect by reducing the cell viability and enhancing the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and RANKL mRNAs in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Additional experiments revealed that heme oxygenase-1 inducer (hemin), a membrane-permeable cGMP analog (8-bromo-cGMP), carbon monoxide, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, protein kinase inhibitor (KT5823), and nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) also blocked the effects of H2O2 on cell viability and RANKL mRNA expression in periodontal ligament cells. These data suggest that heme oxygenase-1 induction plays a protective role in periodontal ligament cells against the cytotoxic and RANKL-inducing effects of H2O2, through multiple signaling pathways.

  2. [Prostaglandins, insulin secretion and diabetes mellitus].

    PubMed

    Giugliano, D; Torella, R; Scheen, A J; Lefebvre, P J; D'Onofrio, F

    1988-12-01

    The islets of Langerhans have the enzymatic equipment permitting the synthesis of the metabolites of arachidonic acid: cyclo-oxygenase and lipo-oxygenase. Numerous studies have shown that cyclo-oxygenase derivatives, mainly PGE2, reduce the insulin response to glucose whereas lipo-oxygenase derivatives, mainly 15-HPETE, stimulate insulin secretion. So, for instance, drugs that increase prostaglandins synthesis as colchicine or furosemide inhibit insulin secretion while non steroid anti-inflammator drugs, mainly salicylates, which inhibit cyclo-oxygenase, enhance the insulin response to various stimuli. In type-2 (non insulin-dependent) diabetes, an increased sensitivity to endogenous prostaglandins has been proposed as a possible cause for the insulin secretion defect which characterizes this disease. Play in favor of this hypothesis the fact that the administration of PGE inhibits the insulin response to arginine in type-2 diabetics but not in normal subject and the fact that the administration of salicylates could improve the insulin response to glucose in some of these patients.

  3. Regio- and stereodivergent antibiotic oxidative carbocyclizations catalysed by Rieske oxygenase-like enzymes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sydor, Paulina K.; Barry, Sarah M.; Odulate, Olanipekun M.; Barona-Gomez, Francisco; Haynes, Stuart W.; Corre, Christophe; Song, Lijiang; Challis, Gregory L.

    2011-05-01

    Oxidative cyclizations, exemplified by the biosynthetic assembly of the penicillin nucleus from a tripeptide precursor, are arguably the most synthetically powerful implementation of C-H activation reactions in nature. Here, we show that Rieske oxygenase-like enzymes mediate regio- and stereodivergent oxidative cyclizations to form 10- and 12-membered carbocyclic rings in the key steps of the biosynthesis of the antibiotics streptorubin B and metacycloprodigiosin, respectively. These reactions represent the first examples of oxidative carbocyclizations catalysed by non-haem iron-dependent oxidases and define a novel type of catalytic activity for Rieske enzymes. A better understanding of how these enzymes achieve such remarkable regio- and stereocontrol in the functionalization of unactivated hydrocarbon chains will greatly facilitate the development of selective man-made C-H activation catalysts.

  4. CARBON MONOXIDE REVERSIBLY DISRUPTS IRON HOMEOSTATIS AND RESPIRATORY EPITHELIAL CELLS FUNCTION

    EPA Science Inventory

    Iron dissociation from heme is a major factor in iron metabolism and cellular concentrations of the metal correlate inversely with the expression of heme oxygenase (HO). We tested the hypothesis that 1) exposure to a product of HO, carbon monoxide (CO), disturbs iron homeostas...

  5. Mechanism and Catalytic Diversity of Rieske Non-Heme Iron-Dependent Oxygenases

    PubMed Central

    Barry, Sarah M.; Challis, Gregory L.

    2013-01-01

    Rieske non-heme iron-dependent oxygenases are important enzymes that catalyze a wide variety of reactions in the biodegradation of xenobiotics and the biosynthesis of bioactive natural products. In this perspective article, we summarize recent efforts to elucidate the catalytic mechanisms of Rieske oxygenases and highlight the diverse range of reactions now known to be catalyzed by such enzymes. PMID:24244885

  6. Heme oxygenase is not involved in the anti-proliferative effects of statins on pancreatic cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Vanova, K; Boukalova, S; Gbelcova, H; Muchova, L; Neuzil, J; Gurlich, R; Ruml, T; Vitek, L

    2016-05-12

    Pancreatic cancer is recognized as one of the most fatal tumors due to its aggressiveness and resistance to therapy. Statins were previously shown to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells via various signaling pathways. In healthy tissues, statins activate the heme oxygenase pathway, nevertheless the role of heme oxygenase in pancreatic cancer is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate, whether anti-proliferative effects of statins in pancreatic cancer cells are mediated via the heme oxygenase pathway. In vitro effects of various statins and hemin, a heme oxygenase inducer, on cell proliferation were evaluated in PA-TU-8902, MiaPaCa-2 and BxPC-3 human pancreatic cancer cell lines. The effect of statins on heme oxygenase activity was assessed and heme oxygenase-silenced cells were used for pancreatic cancer cell proliferation studies. Cell death rate and reactive oxygen species production were measured in PA-TU-8902 cells, followed by evaluation of the effect of cerivastatin on GFP-K-Ras trafficking and expression of markers of invasiveness, osteopontin (SPP1) and SOX2. While simvastatin and cerivastatin displayed major anti-proliferative properties in all cell lines tested, pravastatin did not affect the cell growth at all. Strong anti-proliferative effect was observed also for hemin. Co-treatment of cerivastatin and hemin increased anti-proliferative potential of these agents, via increased production of reactive oxygen species and cell death compared to individual treatment. Heme oxygenase silencing did not prevent pancreatic cancer cells from the tumor-suppressive effect of cerivastatin or hemin. Cerivastatin, but not pravastatin, protected Ras protein from trafficking to the cell membrane and significantly reduced expressions of SPP1 (p < 0.05) and SOX2 (p < 0.01). Anti-proliferative effects of statins and hemin on human pancreatic cancer cell lines do not seem to be related to the heme oxygenase pathway. While hemin triggers reactive oxygen species-induced cell death, cerivastatin targets Ras protein trafficking and affects markers of invasiveness.

  7. Induction of Heat-Shock Proteins in Coxiella burnetii

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-06-26

    the groEL protein in Escherichia coli is believed to aid the * assembly of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase ( RuBisCO ) within chloroplasts...responsible for the assembly of RuBisCo within chloroplasts must also be translocated prior to serving this function.4 It is therefore not surprising that its

  8. Characterization of Hybrid Toluate and Benzoate Dioxygenases

    PubMed Central

    Ge, Yong; Eltis, Lindsay D.

    2003-01-01

    Toluate dioxygenase of Pseudomonas putida mt-2 (TADOmt2) and benzoate dioxygenase of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus ADP1 (BADOADP1) catalyze the 1,2-dihydroxylation of different ranges of benzoates. The catalytic component of these enzymes is an oxygenase consisting of two subunits. To investigate the structural determinants of substrate specificity in these ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases, hybrid oxygenases consisting of the α subunit of one enzyme and the β subunit of the other were prepared, and their respective specificities were compared to those of the parent enzymes. Reconstituted BADOADP1 utilized four of the seven tested benzoates in the following order of apparent specificity: benzoate > 3-methylbenzoate > 3-chlorobenzoate > 2-methylbenzoate. This is a significantly narrower apparent specificity than for TADOmt2 (3-methylbenzoate > benzoate ∼ 3-chlorobenzoate > 4-methylbenzoate ∼ 4-chlorobenzoate ≫ 2-methylbenzoate ∼ 2-chlorobenzoate [Y. Ge, F. H. Vaillancourt, N. Y. Agar, and L. D. Eltis, J. Bacteriol. 184:4096-4103, 2002]). The apparent substrate specificity of the αBβT hybrid oxygenase for these benzoates corresponded to that of BADOADP1, the parent from which the α subunit originated. In contrast, the apparent substrate specificity of the αTβB hybrid oxygenase differed slightly from that of TADOmt2 (3-chlorobenzoate > 3-methylbenzoate > benzoate ∼ 4-methylbenzoate > 4-chlorobenzoate > 2-methylbenzoate > 2-chlorobenzoate). Moreover, the αTβB hybrid catalyzed the 1,6-dihydroxylation of 2-methylbenzoate, not the 1,2-dihydroxylation catalyzed by the TADOmt2 parent. Finally, the turnover of this ortho-substituted benzoate was much better coupled to O2 utilization in the hybrid than in the parent. Overall, these results support the notion that the α subunit harbors the principal determinants of specificity in ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases. However, they also demonstrate that the β subunit contributes significantly to the enzyme's function. PMID:12949084

  9. Protein oxidative damage and heme oxygenase in sunlight-exposed human skin: roles of MAPK responses to oxidative stress.

    PubMed

    Akasaka, Emiko; Takekoshi, Susumu; Horikoshi, Yosuke; Toriumi, Kentarou; Ikoma, Norihiro; Mabuchi, Tomotaka; Tamiya, Shiho; Matsuyama, Takashi; Ozawa, Akira

    2010-12-20

    Oxidative stress derived from ultraviolet (UV) light in sunlight induces different hazardous effects in the skin, including sunburn, photo-aging and DNA mutagenesis. In this study, the protein-bound lipid peroxidation products 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) were investigated in chronically sun-exposed and sun-protected human skins using immunohistochemistry. The levels of antioxidative enzymes, such as heme oxygenase 1 and 2, Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD and catalase, were also examined. Oxidative stress is also implicated in the activation of signal transduction pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Therefore, the expression and distribution of phosphorylated p38 MAPK, phosphorylated Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were observed. Skin specimens were obtained from the surgical margins. Chronically sunlight-exposed skin samples were taken from the ante-auricular (n = 10) and sunlight-protected skin samples were taken from the post-auricular (n = 10). HNE was increased in the chronically sunlight-exposed skin but not in the sunlight-protected skin. The expression of heme oxygenase-2 was markedly increased in the sunlight-exposed skin compared with the sun-protected skin. In contrast, the intensity of immunostaining of Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD and catalase was not different between the two areas. Phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated JNK accumulated in the ante-auricular dermis and epidermis, respectively. These data show that particular anti-oxidative enzymes function as protective factors in chronically sunlight-exposed human skin. Taken together, our results suggest (1) antioxidative effects of heme oxygenase-2 in chronically sunlight-exposed human skin, and that (2) activation of p38 MAPK may be responsible for oxidative stress.

  10. Adenovirus-mediated heme oxygenase-1 gene transfer into rabbit ocular tissues.

    PubMed

    Abraham, N G; da Silva, J L; Lavrovsky, Y; Stoltz, R A; Kappas, A; Dunn, M W; Schwartzman, M L

    1995-10-01

    Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress protein induced up to 100-fold within a few hours after exposure to oxidative stress, and it has been shown to counteract oxidative injury induced by ultraviolet light or free radicals. The current study was undertaken to determine whether the HO-1 gene can be introduced into adult rabbit ocular tissues by microinjection of a recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus human HO-1 cDNA (Adv-HHO). Human HO-1 gene was used for transfection studies to differentiate endogenous from transfected HO. The purified Adv-HHO construct (10(8) pfu/ml) was mixed with lipofectamine and microinjected into the anterior chamber, vitreous cavity, and subretinal space of New Zealand rabbit eyes. After 2 weeks, total RNA was extracted from different ocular tissues, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed using specific human HO-1 primers, and amplification products were subjected to Southern hybridization. Transfection with the Adv-HHO construct into rabbit corneal epithelial cells in culture resulted in a functional expression of the human HO-1 gene; the human HO-1 mRNA was detected, and enzyme activity increased threefold. Human HO-1 mRNA was detected in the retina after microinjection of the Adv-HHO construct into the subretinal space. Microinjection into the vitreous resulted in HO-1 mRNA expression in the corneal endothelium, iris, lens, and retina; after intracameral injection of the Adv-HHO construct, human HO-1 mRNA was detected in corneal epithelium and endothelium, ciliary body, lens, and iris. Regardless of the injection site, transfected human HO-1 mRNA was undetectable in tissues outside the eye, that is, brain, liver, and kidney. These results demonstrated a tissue-selective functional transfer of the human HO-1 gene into rabbit ocular tissues in vivo. This technique may be a promising means for delivering HO-1 gene in vivo as a protective mechanism against oxidative stress that contributes to the pathogenesis of ocular diseases such as cataract, light-induced injury, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

  11. Heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide in the female reproductive system: an overlooked signalling pathway

    PubMed Central

    Němeček, David; Dvořáková, Markéta; Sedmíková, Markéta

    2017-01-01

    For a long time, carbon monoxide (CO) was known for its toxic effect on organisms. But there are still many things left to discover on that molecule. CO is formed directly in the body by the enzymatic activity of heme oxygenase (HO). CO plays an important role in many physiological processes, such as cell protections (against various stress factors), and the regulation of metabolic processes. Recent research proves that CO also operates in the female reproductive system. At the centre of interest is the importance of CO for gestation. During the gestation period, CO is an important element affecting the proper function of the feto-placental unit and generally affects fetal survivability rates. Gestation is one of the most important processes of successful reproduction, although there are more relevant processes that need to be researched. While already proven that CO influences steroidogenesis and the corpus luteum survivability rate, our knowledge concerning the function and importance of CO in the reproductive system is still relatively limited. As an example, our knowledge of CO function in an oocyte, the most important cell for reproduction, is almost non-existent. The aim of this review is to summarize our current knowledge concerning the function of CO in the female reproductive system. PMID:28123837

  12. Supplementation with macular carotenoids improves visual performance of transgenic mice.

    PubMed

    Li, Binxing; Rognon, Gregory T; Mattinson, Ty; Vachali, Preejith P; Gorusupudi, Aruna; Chang, Fu-Yen; Ranganathan, Arunkumar; Nelson, Kelly; George, Evan W; Frederick, Jeanne M; Bernstein, Paul S

    2018-07-01

    Carotenoid supplementation can improve human visual performance, but there is still no validated rodent model to test their effects on visual function in laboratory animals. We recently showed that mice deficient in β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2) and/or β-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1) enzymes can accumulate carotenoids in their retinas, allowing us to investigate the effects of carotenoids on the visual performance of mice. Using OptoMotry, a device to measure visual function in rodents, we examined the effect of zeaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene on visual performance of various BCO knockout mice. We then transgenically expressed the human zeaxanthin-binding protein GSTP1 (hGSTP1) in the rods of bco2 -/- mice to examine if delivering more zeaxanthin to retina will improve their visual function further. The visual performance of bco2 -/- mice fed with zeaxanthin or lutein was significantly improved relative to control mice fed with placebo beadlets. β-Carotene had no significant effect in bco2 -/- mice but modestly improved cone visual function of bco1 -/- mice. Expression of hGSTP1 in the rods of bco2 -/- mice resulted in a 40% increase of retinal zeaxanthin and further improvement of visual performance. This work demonstrates that these "macular pigment mice" may serve as animal models to study carotenoid function in the retina. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Latex Clearing Protein—an Oxygenase Cleaving Poly(cis-1,4-Isoprene) Rubber at the cis Double Bonds

    PubMed Central

    Hiessl, Sebastian; Böse, Dietrich; Oetermann, Sylvia; Eggers, Jessica; Pietruszka, Jörg

    2014-01-01

    Gordonia polyisoprenivorans strain VH2, a potent rubber-degrading actinomycete, harbors two latex clearing proteins (Lcps), which are known to be essential for the microbial degradation of rubber. However, biochemical information on the exact role of this protein in the degradation of polyisoprene was lacking. In this study, the gene encoding Lcp1VH2 was heterologously expressed in strains of Escherichia coli, the corresponding protein was purified, and its role in rubber degradation was examined by measurement of oxygen consumption as well as by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. It turned out that active Lcp1VH2 is a monomer and is responsible for the oxidative cleavage of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) in synthetic as well as in natural rubber by the addition of oxygen (O2) to the cis double bonds. The resulting oligomers possess repetitive isoprene units with aldehyde (CHO-CH2—) and ketone (—CH2-CO-CH3) functional groups at the termini. Two fractions with average isoprene contents of 18 and 10, respectively, were isolated, thus indicating an endocleavage mechanism. The activity of Lcp1VH2 was determined by applying a polarographic assay. Alkenes, acyclic terpenes, or other rubber-like polymers, such as poly(cis-1,4-butadiene) or poly(trans-1,4-isoprene), are not oxidatively cleaved by Lcp1VH2. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme are at pH 7 and 30°C, respectively. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that active Lcp1VH2 is a Cu(II)-containing oxygenase that exhibits a conserved domain of unknown function which cannot be detected in any other hitherto-characterized enzyme. The results presented here indicate that this domain might represent a new protein family of oxygenases. PMID:24928880

  14. Improved graft mesenchymal stem cell survival in ischemic heart with a hypoxia-regulated heme oxygenase-1 vector.

    PubMed

    Tang, Yao Liang; Tang, Yi; Zhang, Y Clare; Qian, Keping; Shen, Leping; Phillips, M Ian

    2005-10-04

    The goal of this study was to modify mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cells with a hypoxia-regulated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plasmid to enhance the survival of MSCs in acute myocardial infarction (MI) heart. Although stem cells are being tested clinically for cardiac repair, graft cells die in the ischemic heart because of the effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation, inflammatory cytokines, and proapoptotic factors. Heme oxygenase-1 is a key component in inhibiting most of these factors. Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow were transfected with either HO-1 or LacZ plasmids. Cell apoptosis was assayed in vitro after hypoxia-reoxygen treatment. In vivo, 1 x 10(6) of male MSC(HO-1), MSC(LacZ), MSCs, or medium was injected into mouse hearts 1 h after MI (n = 16/group). Cell survival was assessed in a gender-mismatched transplantation model. Apoptosis, left ventricular remodeling, and cardiac function were tested in a gender-matched model. In the ischemic myocardium, the MSC(HO-1) group had greater expression of HO-1 and a 2-fold reduction in the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate in situ nick end labeling-positive cells compared with the MSC(LacZ) group. At seven days after implantation, the survival MSC(HO-1) was five-fold greater than the MSC(LacZ) group; MSC(HO-1) also attenuated left ventricular remodeling and enhanced the functional recovery of infarcted hearts two weeks after MI. A hypoxia-regulated HO-1 vector modification of MSCs enhances the tolerance of engrafted MSCs to hypoxia-reoxygen injury in vitro and improves their viability in ischemic hearts. This demonstration is the first showing that a physiologically inducible vector expressing of HO-1 genes improves the survival of stem cells in myocardial ischemia.

  15. Selective activation of heme oxygenase-2 by menadione.

    PubMed

    Vukomanovic, Dragic; McLaughlin, Brian E; Rahman, Mona N; Szarek, Walter A; Brien, James F; Jia, Zongchao; Nakatsu, Kanji

    2011-11-01

    While substantial progress has been made in elucidating the roles of heme oxygenases-1 (HO-1) and -2 (HO-2) in mammals, our understanding of the functions of these enzymes in health and disease is still incomplete. A significant amount of our knowledge has been garnered through the use of nonselective inhibitors of HOs, and our laboratory has recently described more selective inhibitors for HO-1. In addition, our appreciation of HO-1 has benefitted from the availability of tools for increasing its activity through enzyme induction. By comparison, there is a paucity of information about HO-2 activation, with only a few reports appearing in the literature. This communication describes our observations of the up to 30-fold increase in the in-vitro activation of HO-2 by menadione. This activation was due to an increase in Vmax and was selective, in that menadione did not increase HO-1 activity.

  16. Role of CadC and CadD in the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid oxygenase system of Sphingomonas agrestis 58-1.

    PubMed

    Kijima, Kumiko; Mita, Hajime; Kawakami, Mitsuyasu; Amada, Kei

    2018-02-02

    In the present study, we confirm that 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) oxygenase from Sphingomonas agrestis 58-1 belongs to the family of Rieske non-heme iron aromatic ring-hydroxylating oxygenases, which comprise a core enzyme (oxygenase), ferredoxin, and oxidoreductase. It has previously been shown that cadAB genes are necessary for the conversion of 2,4-D to 2,4-dichlorophenol; however, the respective roles of ferredoxin and oxidoreductase in the 2,4-D oxygenase system from S. agrestis 58-1 remain unknown. Using nucleotide sequence analysis of the plasmid pCADAB1 from Sphingomonas sp. ERG5, which degrades 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid and 2,4-D, Nielsen et al. identified orf95, upstream of cadA, and orf98, downstream of cadB, which were predicted and designated as cadD (oxidoreductase) and cadC (ferredoxin), respectively (Nielsen et al., PLoS One, 8, 1-9, 2013). These designations were the result of sequence analysis; therefore, we constructed an expression system of CadABC and CadABCD in Escherichia coli and assayed their enzyme activities. Our findings indicate that CadC is essential for the activity of 2,4-D oxygenase and CadD promotes CadABC activity in recombinant E. coli cells. Copyright © 2018 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Indoxyl Sulfate Affects Glial Function Increasing Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Chronic Kidney Disease: Interaction between Astrocytes and Microglia.

    PubMed

    Adesso, Simona; Magnus, Tim; Cuzzocrea, Salvatore; Campolo, Michela; Rissiek, Björn; Paciello, Orlando; Autore, Giuseppina; Pinto, Aldo; Marzocco, Stefania

    2017-01-01

    Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a protein-bound uremic toxin resulting from the metabolism of dietary tryptophan which accumulates in patients with impaired renal function, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). IS is a well-known nephrovascular toxin but little is known about its effects on central nervous system (CNS) cells. Considering the growing interest in the field of CNS comorbidities in CKD, we studied the effect of IS on CNS cells. IS (15-60 μM) treatment in C6 astrocyte cells increased reactive oxygen species release and decreased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) activation, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 expression. Moreover, IS increased Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) and Nuclear Factor-kB (NF-kB) activation in these cells. Similiar observations were made in primary mouse astrocytes and mixed glial cells. Inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 release and nitrotyrosine formation were increased by IS (15-60 μM) in primary mouse astrocytes and mixed glial cells. IS increased AhR and NF-kB nuclear translocation and reduced Nrf2 translocation and HO-1 expression in primary glial cells. In addition, IS induced cell death in neurons in a dose dependent fashion. Injection of IS (800 mg/kg, i.p.) into mice induced histological changes and increased COX-2 expression and nitrotyrosine formation in thebrain tissue. Taken together, our results show a significant contribution of IS in generating a neurotoxic enviroment and it could also have a potential role in neurodegeneration. IS could be considered also a potential therapeutical target for CKD-associated neurodegenerative complications.

  18. Heme oxygenase-1: a metabolic nike.

    PubMed

    Wegiel, Barbara; Nemeth, Zsuzsanna; Correa-Costa, Matheus; Bulmer, Andrew C; Otterbein, Leo E

    2014-04-10

    Heme degradation, which was described more than 30 years ago, is still very actively explored with many novel discoveries on its role in various disease models every year. The heme oxygenases (HO) are metabolic enzymes that utilize NADPH and oxygen to break apart the heme moiety liberating biliverdin (BV), carbon monoxide (CO), and iron. Heme that is derived from hemoproteins can be toxic to the cells and if not removed immediately, it causes cell apoptosis and local inflammation. Elimination of heme from the milieu enables generation of three products that influences numerous metabolic changes in the cell. CO has profound effects on mitochondria and cellular respiration and other hemoproteins to which it can bind and affect their function, while BV and bilirubin (BR), the substrate and product of BV, reductase, respectively, are potent antioxidants. Sequestration of iron into ferritin and its recycling in the tissues is a part of the homeodynamic processes that control oxidation-reduction in cellular metabolism. Further, heme is an important component of a number of metabolic enzymes, and, therefore, HO-1 plays an important role in the modulation of cellular bioenergetics. In this review, we describe the cross-talk between heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and its products with other metabolic pathways. HO-1, which we have labeled Nike, the goddess who personified victory, dictates triumph over pathophysiologic conditions, including diabetes, ischemia, and cancer.

  19. Metabolic pathway interruption: CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of tryptophan 2,3-oxygenase in Tribolium castaneum

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The Tribolium castaneum vermilion gene encodes tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, a pivotal enzyme in the ommochrome pathway that is responsible for the black eye color. T. castaneum strains with a loss-of-function mutation, vermilion white (vw), lack both the promoter and the first 80% of the vermilion co...

  20. Unveiling the biotransformation mechanism of indole in a Cupriavidus sp. strain.

    PubMed

    Qu, Yuanyuan; Ma, Qiao; Liu, Ziyan; Wang, Weiwei; Tang, Hongzhi; Zhou, Jiti; Xu, Ping

    2017-12-01

    Indole, an important signaling molecule as well as a typical N-heterocyclic aromatic pollutant, is widespread in nature. However, the biotransformation mechanisms of indole are still poorly studied. Here, we sought to unlock the genetic determinants of indole biotransformation in strain Cupriavidus sp. SHE based on genomics, proteomics and functional studies. A total of 177 proteins were notably altered (118 up- and 59 downregulated) in cells grown in indole mineral salt medium when compared with that in sodium citrate medium. RT-qPCR and gene knockout assays demonstrated that an indole oxygenase gene cluster was responsible for the indole upstream metabolism. A functional indole oxygenase, termed IndA, was identified in the cluster, and its catalytic efficiency was higher than those of previously reported indole oxidation enzymes. Furthermore, the indole downstream metabolism was found to proceed via the atypical CoA-thioester pathway rather than conventional gentisate and salicylate pathways. This unusual pathway was catalyzed by a conserved 2-aminobenzoyl-CoA gene cluster, among which the 2-aminobenzoyl-CoA ligase initiated anthranilate transformation. This study unveils the genetic determinants of indole biotransformation and will provide new insights into our understanding of indole biodegradation in natural environments and its functional studies. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  1. Heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide signaling pathways: regulation and functional significance.

    PubMed

    Ryter, Stefan W; Otterbein, Leo E; Morse, Danielle; Choi, Augustine M K

    2002-01-01

    Carbon monoxide (CO), a gaseous second messenger, arises in biological systems during the oxidative catabolism of heme by the heme oxygenase (HO) enzymes. HO exists as constitutive (HO-2, HO-3) and inducible isoforms (HO-1), the latter which responds to regulation by multiple stress-stimuli. HO-1 confers protection in vitro and in vivo against oxidative cellular stress. Although the redox active compounds that are generated from HO activity (i.e. iron, biliverdin-IXalpha, and bilirubin-IXa) potentially modulate oxidative stress resistance, increasing evidence points to cytoprotective roles for CO. Though not reactive, CO regulates vascular processes such as vessel tone, smooth muscle proliferation, and platelet aggregation, and possibly functions as a neurotransmitter. The latter effects of CO depend on the activation of guanylate cyclase activity by direct binding to the heme moiety of the enzyme, stimulating the production of cyclic 3':5'-guanosine monophosphate. CO potentially interacts with other intracellular hemoprotein targets, though little is known about the functional significance of such interactions. Recent progress indicates that CO exerts novel anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects dependent on the modulation of the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)-signaling pathway. By virtue of these effects, CO confers protection in oxidative lung injury models, and likely plays a role in HO-1 mediated tissue protection.

  2. The non-canonical functions of the heme oxygenases

    PubMed Central

    Tibullo, Daniele; Forte, Stefano; Zappalà, Agata; Volti, Giovanni Li

    2016-01-01

    Heme oxygenase (HO) isoforms catalyze the conversion of heme to carbon monoxide (CO) and biliverdin with a concurrent release of iron, which can drive the synthesis of ferritin for iron sequestration. Most of the studies so far were directed at evaluating the protective effect of these enzymes because of their ability to generate antioxidant and antiapoptotic molecules such as CO and bilirubin. Recent evidences are suggesting that HO may possess other important physiological functions, which are not related to its enzymatic activity and for which we would like to introduce for the first time the term “non canonical functions”. Recent evidence suggest that both HO isoforms may form protein-protein interactions (i.e. cytochrome P450, adiponectin, CD91) thus serving as chaperone-like protein. In addition, truncated HO-1 isoform was localized in the nuclear compartment under certain experimental conditions (i.e. excitotoxicity, hypoxia) regulating the activity of important nuclear transcription factors (i.e. Nrf2) and DNA repair. In the present review, we discuss three potential signaling mechanisms that we refer to as the non-canonical functions of the HO isoforms: protein-protein interaction, intracellular compartmentalization, and extracellular secretion. The aim of the present review is to describe each of this mechanism and all the aspects warranting additional studies in order to unravel all the functions of the HO system. PMID:27626166

  3. Degradative pathways for p-toluenecarboxylate and p-toluenesulfonate and their multicomponent oxygenases in Comamonas testosteroni strains PSB-4 and T-2.

    PubMed

    Junker, F; Saller, E; Schläfli Oppenberg, H R; Kroneck, P M; Leisinger, T; Cook, A M

    1996-09-01

    Three multicomponent oxygenases involved in the degradation of p-toluenesulfonate and p-toluenecarboxylate and the regulation of their synthesis have been examined in three strains (T-2, PSB-4 and TER-1) of Comamonas testosteroni. Strain T-2 utilizes p-toluenesulfonate as a source of carbon and energy for growth via p-sulfobenzoate and protocatechuate, and p-toluenecarboxylate via terephthalate and protocatechuate, and has the unusual property of requiring the reductase (TsaB) of the toluenesulfonate methyl monooxygenase system (TsaMB) in an incompletely expressed sulfobenzoate dioxygenase system (PsbAC) [Schläfli Oppenberg, H.R., Chen, G., Leisinger, T. & Cook, A. M. (1995). Microbiology 141, 1891-1899]. The independently isolated C. testosteroni PSB-4 utilized only sulfobenzoate and terephthalate via protocatechuate. Mutant TER-1, derived from strain T-2, utilized only terephthalate via protocatechuate. We detected no enzymes of the pathway from toluenesulfonate to sulfobenzoate in strains PSB-4 and TER-1, and confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis that the genes (tsaMB) encoding toluenesulfonate monooxygenase were absent. We concluded that, in strain PSB-4, the regulatory unit encoding the genes for the conversion of toluenesulfonate to sulfobenzoate was missing, and that generation of mutant TER-1 involved deletion of this regulatory unit and of the regulatory unit encoding desulfonation of sulfobenzoate. The degradation of sulfobenzoate in strain PSB-4 was catalysed by a fully inducible sulfobenzoate dioxygenase system (PsbACPSB-4), which, after purification of the oxygenase component (PsbAPSB-4), turned out to be indistinguishable from the corresponding component from strain T-2 (PsbAT-2). Reductase PsbCPSB-4, which we could separate but not purify, was active with oxygenase PsbAPSB-4 and PsbAT-2. Oxygenase PsbAPSB-4 was shown by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to contain a Rieske [2Fe-2S] centre. The enzyme system oxygenating terephthalate was examined and the oxygenase component purified and characterized. The oxygenase component in strains T-2 (and mutant TER-1) and PSB-4 were indistinguishable. The reductase component, which we separated but failed to purify, was active with the oxygenase from all strains. Gains and losses of blocks of genes in evolution is discussed.

  4. OsMIOX, a myo-inositol oxygenase gene, improves drought tolerance through scavenging of reactive oxygen species in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

    PubMed

    Duan, Junzhi; Zhang, Minghui; Zhang, Hongliang; Xiong, Haiyan; Liu, Pengli; Ali, Jauhar; Li, Jinjie; Li, Zichao

    2012-11-01

    Myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX), a unique monooxygenase, catalyzes the oxidation of myo-inositol to d-glucuronic acid. However, the protective role of MIOX in plants against oxidative stress or drought stress remains unknown. In this study, the functional characterization of MIOX obtained from the cDNA library of upland rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. IRAT109), was performed. OsMIOX was expressed predominantly in the roots and induced by drought, H₂O₂, salt, cold and abscisic acid. The transgenic rice lines overexpressing OsMIOX showed obviously improved growth performance in the medium containing 200 mM mannitol. Further, the survival rate of leaves from the transgenic rice lines was significantly higher than that of the wild type plants under polyethylene glycol treatment. It was discovered that the activity of ROS-scavenging enzymes and proline content, as well as the transcript levels of many ROS scavenging genes were significantly increased in transgenic plants compared to the wild type plants under drought stress conditions. Together, these data suggest that OsMIOX has a specific function in drought stress tolerance by decreasing oxidative damage. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Adiponectin-Mediated Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction Protects Against Iron-Induced Liver Injury via a PPARα-Dependent Mechanism

    PubMed Central

    Lin, Heng; Yu, Chun-Hsien; Jen, Chih-Yu; Cheng, Ching-Feng; Chou, Ying; Chang, Chih-Cheng; Juan, Shu-Hui

    2010-01-01

    Protective effects of adiponectin (APN; an adipocytokine) were shown against various oxidative challenges; however, its therapeutic implications and the mechanisms underlying hepatic iron overload remain unclear. Herein, we show that the deleterious effects of iron dextran on liver function and iron deposition were significantly reversed by adiponectin gene therapy, which was accompanied by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 induction. Furthermore, AMPK-mediated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) activation by APN was ascribable to HO-1 induction. Additionally, we revealed direct transcriptional regulation of HO-1 by the binding of PPARα to a PPAR-responsive element (PPRE) by various experimental assessments. Interestingly, overexpression of HO-1 in hepatocytes mimicked the protective effect of APN in attenuating iron-mediated injury, whereas it was abolished by SnPP and small interfering HO-1. Furthermore, bilirubin, the end-product of the HO-1 reaction, but not CO, protected hepatocytes from iron dextran-mediated caspase activation. Herein, we demonstrate a novel functional PPRE in the promoter regions of HO-1, and APN-mediated HO-1 induction elicited an antiapoptotic effect and a decrease in iron deposition in hepatocytes subjected to iron challenge. PMID:20709802

  6. Neuroprotective, neurotherapeutic, and neurometabolic effects of carbon monoxide.

    PubMed

    Mahan, Vicki L

    2012-12-27

    Studies in animal models show that the primary mechanism by which heme-oxygenases impart beneficial effects is due to the gaseous molecule carbon monoxide (CO). Produced in humans mainly by the catabolism of heme by heme-oxygenase, CO is a neurotransmitter important for multiple neurologic functions and affects several intracellular pathways as a regulatory molecule. Exogenous administration of inhaled CO or carbon monoxide releasing molecules (CORM's) impart similar neurophysiological responses as the endogenous gas. Its' involvement in important neuronal functions suggests that regulation of CO synthesis and biochemical properties may be clinically relevant to neuroprotection and the key may be a change in metabolic substrate from glucose to lactate. Currently, the drug is under development as a therapeutic agent and safety studies in humans evaluating the safety and tolerability of inhaled doses of CO show no clinically important abnormalities, effects, or changes over time in laboratory safety variables. As an important therapeutic option, inhaled CO has entered clinical trials and its clinical role as a neuroprotective and neurotherapeutic agent has been suggested. In this article, we review the neuroprotective effects of endogenous CO and discuss exogenous CO as a neuroprotective and neurotherapeutic agent.

  7. ARSENIC INDUCTION OF HEME OXYGENASE AS A BIOMARKER

    EPA Science Inventory


    Useful biomarkers of arsenic effects in both experimental animals and humans are needed. Arsenate and arsenite are good inducers of rat hepatic and renal heme oxygenase (HO); monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) are not. Therefore, HO enzyme induction ...

  8. Heme oxygenase-1 restores impaired GARPCD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells from patients with acute coronary syndrome by upregulating LAP and GARP expression on activated T lymphocytes.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yuzhou; Zhao, Xiaoqi; Zhong, Yucheng; Meng, Kai; Yu, Kunwu; Shi, Huairui; Wu, Bangwei; Tony, Hasahya; Zhu, Jianghao; Zhu, Ruirui; Peng, Yudong; Mao, Yi; Cheng, Peng; Mao, Xiaobo; Zeng, Qiutang

    2015-01-01

    Accumulating evidence shows that the pathological autoreactive immune response is responsible for plaque rupture and the subsequent onset of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+)regulatory T cells (nTregs) are indispensable in suppressing the pathological autoreactive immune response and maintaining immune homeostasis. However, the number and the suppressive function of glycoprotein-A repetitions predominant (GARP) (+) CD4(+) CD25(+) activated nTregs were impaired in patients with ACS. Recent evidence suggests that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) can regulate the adaptive immune response by promoting the expression of Foxp3. We therefore hypothesized that HO-1 may enhance the function of GARP(+) CD4(+) CD25(+)Tregs in patients with ACS and thus regulate immune imbalance. T lymphocytes were isolated from healthy volunteers (control, n=30) and patients with stable angina (SA, n=40) or ACS (n=51). Half of these cells were treated with an HO-1 inducer (hemin) for 48 h, and the other half were incubated with complete RPMI-1640 medium. The frequencies of T-helper 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17 and latency-associated peptide (LAP) (+)CD4(+) T cells and the expression of Foxp3 and GARP by CD4(+)CD25(+)T cells were then assessed by measuring flow cytometry after stimulation in vitro. The suppressive function of activated Tregs was measured by thymidine uptake. The levels of transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-β1) in the plasma were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of the genes encoding these proteins were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Patients with ACS exhibited an impaired number and suppressive function of GARP(+) CD4(+) CD25(+)Tregs and a mixed Th1/Th17-dominant T cell response when compared with the SA and control groups. The expression of LAP in T cells was also lower in patients with ACS compared to patients with SA and the control individuals. Treatment with an HO-1 inducer enhanced the biological activity of GARP(+) CD4(+) CD25(+)Tregs and resulted in increased expression of LAP and GARP by activated T cells. The reduced number and impaired suppressive function of GARP(+) CD4(+) CD25(+)Tregs result in excess effector T cell proliferation, leading to plaque instability and the onset of ACS. HO-1 can effectively restore impaired GARP(+) CD4(+) CD25(+)Tregs from patients with ACS by promoting LAP and GARP expression on activated T cells. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  9. A Novel, “Double-Clamp” Binding Mode for Human Heme Oxygenase-1 Inhibition

    PubMed Central

    Rahman, Mona N.; Vlahakis, Jason Z.; Vukomanovic, Dragic; Lee, Wallace; Szarek, Walter A.; Nakatsu, Kanji; Jia, Zongchao

    2012-01-01

    The development of heme oxygenase (HO) inhibitors is critical in dissecting and understanding the HO system and for potential therapeutic applications. We have established a program to design and optimize HO inhibitors using structure-activity relationships in conjunction with X-ray crystallographic analyses. One of our previous complex crystal structures revealed a putative secondary hydrophobic binding pocket which could be exploited for a new design strategy by introducing a functional group that would fit into this potential site. To test this hypothesis and gain further insights into the structural basis of inhibitor binding, we have synthesized and characterized 1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-4,4-diphenyl-2-butanone (QC-308). Using a carbon monoxide (CO) formation assay on rat spleen microsomes, the compound was found to be ∼15 times more potent (IC50 = 0.27±0.07 µM) than its monophenyl analogue, which is already a potent compound in its own right (QC-65; IC50 = 4.0±1.8 µM). The crystal structure of hHO-1 with QC-308 revealed that the second phenyl group in the western region of the compound is indeed accommodated by a definitive secondary proximal hydrophobic pocket. Thus, the two phenyl moieties are each stabilized by distinct hydrophobic pockets. This “double-clamp” binding offers additional inhibitor stabilization and provides a new route for improvement of human heme oxygenase inhibitors. PMID:22276118

  10. A novel, "double-clamp" binding mode for human heme oxygenase-1 inhibition.

    PubMed

    Rahman, Mona N; Vlahakis, Jason Z; Vukomanovic, Dragic; Lee, Wallace; Szarek, Walter A; Nakatsu, Kanji; Jia, Zongchao

    2012-01-01

    The development of heme oxygenase (HO) inhibitors is critical in dissecting and understanding the HO system and for potential therapeutic applications. We have established a program to design and optimize HO inhibitors using structure-activity relationships in conjunction with X-ray crystallographic analyses. One of our previous complex crystal structures revealed a putative secondary hydrophobic binding pocket which could be exploited for a new design strategy by introducing a functional group that would fit into this potential site. To test this hypothesis and gain further insights into the structural basis of inhibitor binding, we have synthesized and characterized 1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-4,4-diphenyl-2-butanone (QC-308). Using a carbon monoxide (CO) formation assay on rat spleen microsomes, the compound was found to be ∼15 times more potent (IC(50) = 0.27±0.07 µM) than its monophenyl analogue, which is already a potent compound in its own right (QC-65; IC(50) = 4.0±1.8 µM). The crystal structure of hHO-1 with QC-308 revealed that the second phenyl group in the western region of the compound is indeed accommodated by a definitive secondary proximal hydrophobic pocket. Thus, the two phenyl moieties are each stabilized by distinct hydrophobic pockets. This "double-clamp" binding offers additional inhibitor stabilization and provides a new route for improvement of human heme oxygenase inhibitors.

  11. Heme Oxygenase-1: A Metabolic Nike

    PubMed Central

    Nemeth, Zsuzsanna; Correa-Costa, Matheus; Bulmer, Andrew C.; Otterbein, Leo E.

    2014-01-01

    Abstract Significance: Heme degradation, which was described more than 30 years ago, is still very actively explored with many novel discoveries on its role in various disease models every year. Recent Advances: The heme oxygenases (HO) are metabolic enzymes that utilize NADPH and oxygen to break apart the heme moiety liberating biliverdin (BV), carbon monoxide (CO), and iron. Heme that is derived from hemoproteins can be toxic to the cells and if not removed immediately, it causes cell apoptosis and local inflammation. Elimination of heme from the milieu enables generation of three products that influences numerous metabolic changes in the cell. Critical Issues: CO has profound effects on mitochondria and cellular respiration and other hemoproteins to which it can bind and affect their function, while BV and bilirubin (BR), the substrate and product of BV, reductase, respectively, are potent antioxidants. Sequestration of iron into ferritin and its recycling in the tissues is a part of the homeodynamic processes that control oxidation-reduction in cellular metabolism. Further, heme is an important component of a number of metabolic enzymes, and, therefore, HO-1 plays an important role in the modulation of cellular bioenergetics. Future Directions: In this review, we describe the cross-talk between heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and its products with other metabolic pathways. HO-1, which we have labeled Nike, the goddess who personified victory, dictates triumph over pathophysiologic conditions, including diabetes, ischemia, and cancer. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 20, 1709–1722. PMID:24180257

  12. Structural Mechanism of the Oxygenase JMJD6 Recognition by the Extraterminal (ET) Domain of BRD4.

    PubMed

    Konuma, Tsuyoshi; Yu, Di; Zhao, Chengcheng; Ju, Ying; Sharma, Rajal; Ren, Chunyan; Zhang, Qiang; Zhou, Ming-Ming; Zeng, Lei

    2017-11-24

    Jumonji domain-containing protein 6 (JMJD6) is a member of the Jumonji C family of Fe(II) and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG) dependent oxygenases. It possesses unique bi-functional oxygenase activities, acting as both an arginine demethylase and a lysyl-hydroxylase. JMJD6 has been reported to be over-expressed in oral, breast, lung, and colon cancers and plays important roles in regulation of transcription through interactions with transcription regulator BRD4, histones, U2AF65, Luc7L3, and SRSF11. Here, we report a structural mechanism revealed by NMR of JMJD6 recognition by the extraterminal (ET) domain of BRD4 in that a JMJD6 peptide (Lys84-Asn96) adapts an α-helix when bound to the ET domain. This intermolecular recognition is established through JMJD6 interactions with the conserved hydrophobic core of the ET domain, and reinforced by electrostatic interactions of JMJD6 with residues in the inter-helical α1-α2 loop of the ET domain. Notably, this mode of ligand recognition is different from that of ET domain recognition of NSD3, LANA of herpesvirus, and integrase of MLV, which involves formation of an intermolecular amphipathic two- or three- strand antiparallel β sheet. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the association between the BRD4 ET domain and JMJD6 likely requires a protein conformational change induced by single-stranded RNA binding.

  13. Phenol and Benzoate Metabolism by Pseudomonas putida: Regulation of Tangential Pathways

    PubMed Central

    Feist, Carol F.; Hegeman, G. D.

    1969-01-01

    Catechol occurs as an intermediate in the metabolism of both benzoate and phenol by strains of Pseudomonas putida. During growth at the expense of benzoate, catechol is cleaved ortho (1,2-oxygenase) and metabolized via the β-ketoadipate pathway; during growth at the expense of phenol or cresols, the catechol or substituted catechols formed are metabolized by a separate pathway following meta (2,3-oxygenase) cleavage of the aromatic ring of catechol. It is possible to explain the mutually exclusive occurrence of the meta and ortho pathway enzymes in phenol- and benzoate-grown cells of P. putida on the basis of differences in the mode of regulation of these two pathways. By use of both nonmetabolizable inducers and blocked mutants, gratuitous synthesis of some of the meta pathway enzymes was obtained. All four enzymes of the meta pathway are induced by the primary substrate, cresol or phenol, or its analogue. Three enzymes of the ortho pathway that catalyze the conversion of catechol to β-ketoadipate enol-lactone are induced by cis,cis-muconate, produced from catechol by 1,2-oxygenase-mediated cleavage. Observations on the differences in specificity of induction and function of the two pathways suggest that they are not really either tangential or redundant. The meta pathway serves as a general mechanism for catabolism of various alkyl derivatives of catechol derived from substituted phenolic compounds. The ortho pathway is more specific and serves primarily in the catabolism of precursors of catechol and catechol itself. PMID:5354952

  14. Heme oxygenase activity correlates with serum indices of iron homeostasis in healthy nonsmokers

    EPA Science Inventory

    Heme oxygenase (HO) catalyzes the breakdown of heme to carbon monoxide, iron, and biliverdin. While the use of genetically altered animal models in investigation has established distinct associations between HO activity and systemic iron availability, studies have not yet confirm...

  15. Heme oxygenase activity increases after exercise in healthy volunteers

    EPA Science Inventory

    AbstractHeme oxygenase (HO) is an essential, rate-limiting protein which participates in the catabolism of heme to iron, carbon monoxide (CO), and biliverdin. The alpha methene bridge carbon of the heme is eliminated as CO which can be measured as blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb)....

  16. In Vivo Studies in Rhodospirillum rubrum Indicate That Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase (Rubisco) Catalyzes Two Obligatorily Required and Physiologically Significant Reactions for Distinct Carbon and Sulfur Metabolic Pathways*♦

    PubMed Central

    Dey, Swati; North, Justin A.; Sriram, Jaya; Evans, Bradley S.; Tabita, F. Robert

    2015-01-01

    All organisms possess fundamental metabolic pathways to ensure that needed carbon and sulfur compounds are provided to the cell in the proper chemical form and oxidation state. For most organisms capable of using CO2 as sole source of carbon, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) catalyzes primary carbon dioxide assimilation. In addition, sulfur salvage pathways are necessary to ensure that key sulfur-containing compounds are both available and, where necessary, detoxified in the cell. Using knock-out mutations and metabolomics in the bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum, we show here that Rubisco concurrently catalyzes key and essential reactions for seemingly unrelated but physiologically essential central carbon and sulfur salvage metabolic pathways of the cell. In this study, complementation and mutagenesis studies indicated that representatives of all known extant functional Rubisco forms found in nature are capable of simultaneously catalyzing reactions required for both CO2-dependent growth as well as growth using 5-methylthioadenosine as sole sulfur source under anaerobic photosynthetic conditions. Moreover, specific inactivation of the CO2 fixation reaction did not affect the ability of Rubisco to support anaerobic 5-methylthioadenosine metabolism, suggesting that the active site of Rubisco has evolved to ensure that this enzyme maintains both key functions. Thus, despite the coevolution of both functions, the active site of this protein may be differentially modified to affect only one of its key functions. PMID:26511314

  17. Isolated spinach ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit .sup..epsilon. N-methyltransferase and method of inactivating ribulose-1,5-bisphosphatase carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit .sup..epsilon. N-methyltransferase activity

    DOEpatents

    Houtz, Robert L.

    1999-01-01

    The gene sequence for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (LS) .sup..epsilon. N-methyltransferase (protein methylase III or Rubisco LSMT) from a plant which has a des(methyl) lysyl residue in the LS is disclosed. In addition, the full-length cDNA clones for Rubisco LSMT are disclosed. Transgenic plants and methods of producing same which have the Rubisco LSMT gene inserted into the DNA are also provided. Further, methods of inactivating the enzymatic activity of Rubisco LSMT are also disclosed.

  18. Transcriptional responses in juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) after exposure to mercury-contaminated sediments obtained near the wreck of the German WW2 submarine U-864, and from Bergen Harbor, Western Norway.

    PubMed

    Olsvik, Pål A; Brattås, Marianne; Lie, Kai K; Goksøyr, Anders

    2011-04-01

    The main aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of mercury (Hg)-enriched sediments on fish. Sediments near the sunken German WW2 submarine U-864, which according to historical documents included 67 tons of metallic Hg in its cargo, are enriched of Hg leaking from the wreckage. Juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were exposed to two field-collected polluted sediments (U-864: inorganic Hg and Bergen Harbor (Vågen): inorganic Hg, PCB and PAH) or two comparable reference sediments for 5 weeks in the laboratory, and transcriptional responses evaluated in gills and liver. Gills of fish exposed to the Hg-enriched sunken WW2 submarine U-864 sediment contained four fold higher Hg levels compared to the control fish. An increase in Hg content in liver in the U-864 fish was also observed. The transcriptional results showed that calreticulin, HSP70 and heme oxygenase mRNA were significantly up-regulated in gills in fish exposed to the Hg-enriched sediments, whereas calreticulin, heme oxygenase, transferrin and WAP65 were significantly up-regulated and glutathione peroxidase 4B and zona pellucida 3 were significantly down-regulated in liver tissue. In gills and liver of cod exposed to the mixed-contaminated Vågen sediment, CYP1A showed the highest induction. In conclusion, the experiment shows that sediment-bound Hg is available to the fish and affects the transcription of oxidative stress responsive enzymes, suggesting that the Hg-enriched sediments may negatively affect the local wildlife. Furthermore, the mixed contaminated sediments of Vågen affected similar responses in addition to Ah-receptor mediated responses reflecting exposure to PAHs and PCBs. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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

    Meseda, Clement A.; Srinivasan, Kumar; Wise, Jasen

    Highlights: • Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction inhibited vaccinia virus infection of macrophages. • Reduced infectivity inversely correlated with increased expression of non-coding RNAs. • The regulation of HO-1 and ncRNAs suggests a novel host defense response against vaccinia virus infection. - Abstract: Small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) are <200 nucleotide non-coding uridylate-rich RNAs. Although the functions of many snRNAs remain undetermined, a population of snRNAs is produced during the early phase of infection of cells by vaccinia virus. In the present study, we demonstrate a direct correlation between expression of the cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), suppression of selective snRNA expression,more » and inhibition of vaccinia virus infection of macrophages. Hemin induced HO-1 expression, completely reversed virus-induced host snRNA expression, and suppressed vaccinia virus infection. This involvement of specific virus-induced snRNAs and associated gene clusters suggests a novel HO-1-dependent host-defense pathway in poxvirus infection.« less

  20. Loss of Kynurenine 3-Mono-oxygenase Causes Proteinuria

    PubMed Central

    Deutsch, Konstantin; Bolanos-Palmieri, Patricia; Hanke, Nils; Schroder, Patricia; Staggs, Lynne; Bräsen, Jan H.; Roberts, Ian S.D.; Sheehan, Susan; Savage, Holly; Haller, Hermann

    2016-01-01

    Changes in metabolite levels of the kynurenine pathway have been observed in patients with CKD, suggesting involvement of this pathway in disease pathogenesis. Our recent genetic analysis in the mouse identified the kynurenine 3-mono-oxygenase (KMO) gene (Kmo) as a candidate gene associated with albuminuria. This study investigated this association in more detail. We compared KMO abundance in the glomeruli of mice and humans under normal and diabetic conditions, observing a decrease in glomerular KMO expression with diabetes. Knockdown of kmo expression in zebrafish and genetic deletion of Kmo in mice each led to a proteinuria phenotype. We observed pronounced podocyte foot process effacement on long stretches of the filtration barrier in the zebrafish knockdown model and mild podocyte foot process effacement in the mouse model, whereas all other structures within the kidney remained unremarkable. These data establish the candidacy of KMO as a causal factor for changes in the kidney leading to proteinuria and indicate a functional role for KMO and metabolites of the tryptophan pathway in podocytes. PMID:27020856

  1. 3-Hydroxyanthranilate oxygenase activity is increased in the brains of Huntington disease victims

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

    Schwarcz, R.; Okuno, E.; White, R.J.

    1988-06-01

    An excess of the tryptophan metabolite quinolinic acid in the brain has been hypothetically related to the pathogenesis of Huntington disease. Quinolinate's immediate biosynthetic enzyme, 3-hydroxyanthranilate oxygenase, has now been detected in human brain tissue. The activity of 3-hydroxyanthranilate oxygenase is increased in Huntington disease brains as compared to control brains. The increment is particularly pronounced in the striatum, which is known to exhibit the most prominent nerve-cell loss in Huntington disease. Thus, the Huntington disease brain has a disproportionately high capability to produce the endogenous excitotoxin quinolinic acid. This finding may be of relevance for clinical, neuropathologic, and biochemicalmore » features associated with Huntington disease.« less

  2. Apo-10'-lycopenoic acid, a lycopene 1 metabolite, increases sirtuin 1 mRNA and protein levels and decreases hepatic fat accumulation in ob/ob mice

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Lycopene has been shown to be beneficial in protecting against high-fat diet-induced fatty liver. The recent demonstration that lycopene can be converted by carotene 99,10’-oxygenase into a biologically active metabolite, ALA, led us to propose that the function of lycopene can be mediated by ALA. I...

  3. Ribulose-1,5-bis-phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase accumulation factor1 is required for holoenzyme assembly in maize.

    PubMed

    Feiz, Leila; Williams-Carrier, Rosalind; Wostrikoff, Katia; Belcher, Susan; Barkan, Alice; Stern, David B

    2012-08-01

    Most life is ultimately sustained by photosynthesis and its rate-limiting carbon fixing enzyme, ribulose-1,5-bis-phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). Although the structurally comparable cyanobacterial Rubisco is amenable to in vitro assembly, the higher plant enzyme has been refractory to such manipulation due to poor understanding of its assembly pathway. Here, we report the identification of a chloroplast protein required for Rubisco accumulation in maize (Zea mays), RUBISCO ACCUMULATION FACTOR1 (RAF1), which lacks any characterized functional domains. Maize lines lacking RAF1 due to Mutator transposon insertions are Rubisco deficient and seedling lethal. Analysis of transcripts and proteins showed that Rubisco large subunit synthesis in raf1 plants is not compromised; however, newly synthesized Rubisco large subunit appears in a high molecular weight form whose accumulation requires a specific chaperonin 60 isoform. Gel filtration analysis and blue native gels showed that endogenous and recombinant RAF1 are trimeric; however, following in vivo cross-linking, RAF1 copurifies with Rubisco large subunit, suggesting that they interact weakly or transiently. RAF1 is predominantly expressed in bundle sheath chloroplasts, consistent with a Rubisco accumulation function. Our results support the hypothesis that RAF1 acts during Rubisco assembly by releasing and/or sequestering the large subunit from chaperonins early in the assembly process.

  4. Regulation of tolerance of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to heavy metal toxicity by heme oxygenase-1 and carbon monoxide.

    PubMed

    Wei, Yuan Yuan; Zheng, Qi; Liu, Zhao Pu; Yang, Zhi Min

    2011-09-01

    Investigation of heavy metal tolerance genes in green algae is of great importance because heavy metals have become one of the major contaminants in the aquatic ecosystem. In plants, accumulation of heavy metals modifies many aspects of cellular functions. However, the mechanism by which heavy metals exert detrimental effects is poorly understood. In this study, we identified a role for HO-1 (encoding heme oxygenase-1) in regulating the response of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a unicellular green alga, to mercury (Hg). Transgenic algae overexpressing HO-1 showed high tolerance to Hg exposure, with a 48.2% increase in cell number over the wild type, but accumulated less Hg. Physiological analysis revealed that expression of HO-1 suppressed the Hg-induced generation of reactive oxygen species. We further identified the effect of carbon monoxide (CO), a product of HO-1-mediated heme degradation, on growth and physiological parameters. Interestingly, administration of exogenous CO at non-toxic levels also conferred the tolerance of algae to Hg exposure. The CO-mediated alleviation of Hg toxicity was closely related to the lower accumulation of Hg and free radical species. These results indicate that functional identification of HO-1 is useful for molecular breeding designed to improve plant tolerance to heavy metals and reduce heavy metal accumulation in plant cells.

  5. A central role of heme oxygenase-1 in cardiovascular protection.

    PubMed

    Wu, Meng-Ling; Ho, Yen-Chun; Yet, Shaw-Fang

    2011-10-01

    The intrinsic defense mechanisms of the body are critical in protecting tissues from injury in response to pathological stress. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a stress response protein, is induced in response to various pathological stimuli to serve a cytoprotective function. By degrading the oxidant heme and generating the antioxidant bilirubin and anti-inflammatory molecule carbon monoxide, HO-1 may protect cell from injury due to oxidative and pathological stress. Oxidative stress in the heart caused by ischemia and reperfusion leads to cardiomyocyte death and subsequent myocardial infarction. Vascular diseases including atherosclerosis, graft failure, and restenosis are all associated with reactive oxygen species-induced injury and inflammation. Given that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, there is considerable interest in developing new strategies for preventing and treating cardiovascular disease. Since HO-1 is induced in the heart and blood vessels in response to various stresses, a role of HO-1 has been implicated in cardiovascular homeostasis. Numerous studies using pharmacological method or genetic approach have since demonstrated the cardiovascular protective function of HO-1. Importantly, a number of studies have associated human HO-1 gene promoter polymorphisms with risk for vascular diseases. Taken together, HO-1 has a great therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disease.

  6. NADPH–Cytochrome P450 Oxidoreductase: Roles in Physiology, Pharmacology, and Toxicology

    PubMed Central

    Ding, Xinxin; Wolf, C. Roland; Porter, Todd D.; Pandey, Amit V.; Zhang, Qing-Yu; Gu, Jun; Finn, Robert D.; Ronseaux, Sebastien; McLaughlin, Lesley A.; Henderson, Colin J.; Zou, Ling; Flück, Christa E.

    2013-01-01

    This is a report on a symposium sponsored by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and held at the Experimental Biology 2012 meeting in San Diego, California, on April 25, 2012. The symposium speakers summarized and critically evaluated our current understanding of the physiologic, pharmacological, and toxicological roles of NADPH–cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR), a flavoprotein involved in electron transfer to microsomal cytochromes P450 (P450), cytochrome b5, squalene mono-oxygenase, and heme oxygenase. Considerable insight has been derived from the development and characterization of mouse models with conditional Por deletion in particular tissues or partial suppression of POR expression in all tissues. Additional mouse models with global or conditional hepatic deletion of cytochrome b5 are helping to clarify the P450 isoform- and substrate-specific influences of cytochrome b5 on P450 electron transfer and catalytic function. This symposium also considered studies using siRNA to suppress POR expression in a hepatoma cell–culture model to explore the basis of the hepatic lipidosis phenotype observed in mice with conditional deletion of Por in liver. The symposium concluded with a strong translational perspective, relating the basic science of human POR structure and function to the impacts of POR genetic variation on human drug and steroid metabolism. PMID:23086197

  7. AN INTEGRATED PHARMACOKINETIC AND PHARMACODYNAMIC STUDY OF ARSENITE ACTION 2. HEME OXYGENASE INDUCTION IN MICE

    EPA Science Inventory

    Heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation and its activity has a significant impact on intracellular heme pools. Rat studies indicate that HO induction is a sensitive, dose-dependent response to arsenite (AsIII) exposure in both liver and kidney. The o...

  8. AN ELISA ASSAY FOR HEME OXYGENASE (HO-1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    An ELISA assay for heme oxygenase (HO-l )

    Abstract

    A double antibody capture ELISA for the HO-l protein has been developed to separately quantitate HO-I protein. The use of 2.5% NP40 detergent greatly assists in freeing HO-l protein from membranes and/or other cel...

  9. Structure-Activity Relationships of 1,2-Disubstituted Benzimidazoles: Selective Inhibition of Heme Oxygenase-2 Activity.

    PubMed

    Kong, Xianqi; Vukomanovic, Dragic; Nakatsu, Kanji; Szarek, Walter A

    2015-08-01

    Devising ways to up- or down-regulate heme oxygenase activity is attracting much interest as a strategy for the treatment of a variety of disorders. With a view of obtaining compounds that exhibit high potency and selectivity as inhibitors of the heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) isozyme (constitutive) relative to the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) isozyme (inducible), several 1,2-disubstituted 1H-benzimidazoles were designed and synthesized. Specifically, analogues were synthesized in which the C2 substituent was the following: (1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl, (N-morpholinyl)methyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, or (norborn-2-yl)methyl. Compounds with the cyclic system in the C2 substituent being a carbocyclic ring, especially cyclohexyl or norborn-2-yl, and the N1 substituent being a ring-substituted benzyl group, especially 4-chlorobenzyl or 4-bromobenzyl, best exhibited the target criteria of high potency and selectivity toward inhibition of HO-2. The new candidates should be useful pharmacological tools and may have therapeutic applications. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  10. Ascorbic acid deficiency decreases hepatic cytochrome P-450, especially CYP2B1/2B2, and simultaneously induces heme oxygenase-1 gene expression in scurvy-prone ODS rats.

    PubMed

    Kobayashi, Misato; Hoshinaga, Yukiko; Miura, Natsuko; Tokuda, Yuki; Shigeoka, Shigeru; Murai, Atsushi; Horio, Fumihiko

    2014-01-01

    The mechanisms underlying the decrease in hepatic cytochrome P-450 (CYP) content in ascorbic acid deficiency was investigated in scurvy-prone ODS rats. First, male ODS rats were fed a diet containing sufficient ascorbic acid (control) or a diet without ascorbic acid (deficient) for 18 days, with or without the intraperitoneal injection of phenobarbital. Ascorbic acid deficiency decreased hepatic microsomal total CYP content, CYP2B1/2B2 protein, and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COX) complex IV subunit I protein, and simultaneously increased heme oxygenase-1 protein in microsomes and mitochondria. Next, heme oxygenase-1 inducers, that is lipopolysaccharide and hemin, were administered to phenobaribital-treated ODS rats fed sufficient ascorbic acid. The administration of these inducers decreased hepatic microsomal total CYP content, CYP2B1/2B2 protein, and mitochondrial COX complex IV subunit I protein. These results suggested that the stimulation of hepatic heme oxygenase-1 expression by ascorbic acid deficiency caused the decrease in CYP content in liver.

  11. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analyses of the redox-controlled complex of terminal oxygenase and ferredoxin components in the Rieske nonhaem iron oxygenase carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase

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

    Matsuzawa, Jun; Aikawa, Hiroki; Umeda, Takashi

    2014-09-25

    A crystal was obtained of the complex between reduced terminal oxygenase and oxidized ferredoxin components of carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase. The crystal belonged to space group P2{sub 1} and diffracted to 2.25 Å resolution. The initial reaction in bacterial carbazole degradation is catalyzed by carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase, which consists of terminal oxygenase (Oxy), ferredoxin (Fd) and ferredoxin reductase components. The electron-transfer complex between reduced Oxy and oxidized Fd was crystallized at 293 K using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method with PEG 3350 as the precipitant under anaerobic conditions. The crystal diffracted to a maximum resolution of 2.25 Å and belonged to space group P2{submore » 1}, with unit-cell parameters a = 97.3, b = 81.6, c = 116.2 Å, α = γ = 90, β = 100.1°. The V{sub M} value is 2.85 Å{sup 3} Da{sup −1}, indicating a solvent content of 56.8%.« less

  12. Differential effects of sulindac and indomethacin on blood pressure in treated essential hypertensive subjects.

    PubMed

    Puddey, I B; Beilin, L J; Vandongen, R; Banks, R; Rouse, I

    1985-09-01

    Attenuation of the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs has been attributed to inhibition of systemic or renal vasodilator prostaglandin synthesis, or a combination of both. Indomethacin is a NSAI drug with both renal and extrarenal cyclo-oxygenase inhibition properties. Sulindac is a relatively selective cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor said not to affect urinary prostaglandin excretion. This study examines the relative effect on blood pressure of 4 weeks' treatment, with indomethacin 25 mg three times daily and sulindac 200 mg twice daily, in a randomized placebo controlled trial in 26 hypertensive subjects. In nine patients treated with indomethacin, supine blood pressure rose 11 mmHg systolic and 4 mmHg diastolic by the end of the first week, whereas nine subjects treated with sulindac showed a fall in blood pressure similar to the trend seen in placebo-treated subjects. Indomethacin treatment inhibited renal cyclo-oxygenase with a 78% reduction in urinary prostaglandin E2 excretion and 89% suppression of plasma renin activity. Neither measurement was affected by sulindac. Extrarenal cyclo-oxygenase activity was inhibited by both indomethacin and sulindac with serum thromboxane B2 decreasing by 96% and 69% respectively. The results suggest that the pressor effect of NSAI drugs is predominantly related to renal cyclo-oxygenase inhibition. the lack of effect of sulindac on blood pressure may make it a safer therapeutic option if NSAI drug therapy is necessary in the hypertensive patient.

  13. Immunohistochemical localization of constitutive and inducible cyclo-oxygenases in rat uterus during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy.

    PubMed

    Fang, L; Chatterjee, S; Dong, Y L; Gangula, P R; Yallampalli, C

    1998-06-01

    The uterus is a rich source of eicosanoids synthesized from arachidonic acid metabolism through the cyclo-oxygenase pathway. Two isoforms of cyclo-oxygenase, constitutive (COX-I) and inducible (COX-II) enzyme, have been reported. In the present study, we have immunohistochemically mapped the distribution of both COX-I and COX-II during various physiological states of the rat uterus. Uterine tissue was collected from female rats (a) during different stages of the oestrous cycle, (b) on days 1, 4, 8 and 18 of gestation, (c) after spontaneous delivery and (d) post partum, and fixed in Bouin's fixative. After paraffin wax embedding, 5-microm-thick sections were immunohistochemically stained by the ABC technique. Observation of the stained sections under the light microscope revealed that, in non-pregnant rat uterus, both COX-I and COX-II were abundantly expressed in the endometrium, with minimal staining observed in the myometrium. Staining was more prominent in epithelial cells than in stromal cells. The intensity of staining in epithelial cells was highest at pro-oestrus and oestrus and lowest at dioestrus. In pregnant rats, although the expression of both COX-I and COX-II was localized primarily to the endometrium with very little staining in the myometrium on day 1 of gestation, both of these enzymes were also apparent in myometrial cells by day 4 of gestation. The staining intensity of endometrial and myometrial cells increased further with the progression of gestation, being maximal at the time of spontaneous delivery. During the post-partum period, however, the staining intensity for both of the enzymes in endometrium and myometrium was decreased. Thus, our studies show that the expression of cyclo-oxygenases in various uterine cells vary with the oestrous cycle and with pregnancy. Furthermore, prominent increases in the expression of cyclo-oxygenases in the myometrium during pregnancy and parturition imply that the cyclo-oxygenase system in the myometrium may play a major role in modulating uterine contractility during pregnancy and labour.

  14. Structural Investigations of the Ferredoxin and Terminal Oxygenase Components of the biphenyl 2,3-dioxygenase from Sphingobium yanoikuyae B1

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

    Ferraro,D.; Brown, E.; Yu, C.

    The initial step involved in oxidative hydroxylation of monoaromatic and polyaromatic compounds by the microorganism Sphingobium yanoikuyae strain B1 (B1), previously known as Sphingomonas yanoikuyae strain B1 and Beijerinckia sp. strain B1, is performed by a set of multiple terminal Rieske non-heme iron oxygenases. These enzymes share a single electron donor system consisting of a reductase and a ferredoxin (BPDO-F{sub B1}). One of the terminal Rieske oxygenases, biphenyl 2,3-dioxygenase (BPDO-O{sub B1}), is responsible for B1's ability to dihydroxylate large aromatic compounds, such as chrysene and benzo(a)pyrene. Results: In this study, crystal structures of BPDO-O{sub B1} in both native and biphenylmore » bound forms are described. Sequence and structural comparisons to other Rieske oxygenases show this enzyme to be most similar, with 43.5 % sequence identity, to naphthalene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. strain NCIB 9816-4. While structurally similar to naphthalene 1,2-dioxygenase, the active site entrance is significantly larger than the entrance for naphthalene 1,2-dioxygenase. Differences in active site residues also allow the binding of large aromatic substrates. There are no major structural changes observed upon binding of the substrate. BPDO-F{sub B1} has large sequence identity to other bacterial Rieske ferredoxins whose structures are known and demonstrates a high structural homology; however, differences in side chain composition and conformation around the Rieske cluster binding site are noted. Conclusion: This is the first structure of a Rieske oxygenase that oxidizes substrates with five aromatic rings to be reported. This ability to catalyze the oxidation of larger substrates is a result of both a larger entrance to the active site as well as the ability of the active site to accommodate larger substrates. While the biphenyl ferredoxin is structurally similar to other Rieske ferredoxins, there are distinct changes in the amino acids near the iron-sulfur cluster. Because this ferredoxin is used by multiple oxygenases present in the B1 organism, this ferredoxin-oxygenase system provides the structural platform to dissect the balance between promiscuity and selectivity in protein-protein electron transport systems.« less

  15. The role of heme oxygenase-1 in systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

    PubMed

    Takahashi, Akitaka; Mori, Masaaki; Naruto, Takuya; Nakajima, Shoko; Miyamae, Takako; Imagawa, Tomoyuki; Yokota, Shumpei

    2009-01-01

    We have determined the serum levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in 56 patients with systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s-JIA) and compared these with serum HO-1 levels in healthy controls and patients with other pediatric rheumatic diseases. Serum HO-1 levels were measured by the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean serum HO-1 level in s-JIA patients during the active phase was 123.6 +/- 13.83 ng/ml, which was significantly higher than that in patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (p-JIA), Kawasaki disease, systemic lupus erythematosus or mixed connective tissue disease (P < 0.0005). The serum levels of HO-1, cytokines and cytokine receptors in patients with s-JIA were also assessed at both the active and inactive phases. The serum HO-1 level in patients with s-JIA in the active phase was found to be significantly greater than that in patients with the disease in the inactive phase (P < 0.0001). An assessment of the relationships between serum HO-1 levels and other laboratory parameters or cytokines in patients with s-JIA did not reveal any strong correlations. These results suggest that the serum level of HO-1 may be a useful marker for the differential diagnosis of s-JIA. Further study will be necessary to elucidate the mechanism of HO-1 production and to clarify the role of HO-1 in the disease process.

  16. In Vivo Studies in Rhodospirillum rubrum Indicate That Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase (Rubisco) Catalyzes Two Obligatorily Required and Physiologically Significant Reactions for Distinct Carbon and Sulfur Metabolic Pathways.

    PubMed

    Dey, Swati; North, Justin A; Sriram, Jaya; Evans, Bradley S; Tabita, F Robert

    2015-12-25

    All organisms possess fundamental metabolic pathways to ensure that needed carbon and sulfur compounds are provided to the cell in the proper chemical form and oxidation state. For most organisms capable of using CO2 as sole source of carbon, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) catalyzes primary carbon dioxide assimilation. In addition, sulfur salvage pathways are necessary to ensure that key sulfur-containing compounds are both available and, where necessary, detoxified in the cell. Using knock-out mutations and metabolomics in the bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum, we show here that Rubisco concurrently catalyzes key and essential reactions for seemingly unrelated but physiologically essential central carbon and sulfur salvage metabolic pathways of the cell. In this study, complementation and mutagenesis studies indicated that representatives of all known extant functional Rubisco forms found in nature are capable of simultaneously catalyzing reactions required for both CO2-dependent growth as well as growth using 5-methylthioadenosine as sole sulfur source under anaerobic photosynthetic conditions. Moreover, specific inactivation of the CO2 fixation reaction did not affect the ability of Rubisco to support anaerobic 5-methylthioadenosine metabolism, suggesting that the active site of Rubisco has evolved to ensure that this enzyme maintains both key functions. Thus, despite the coevolution of both functions, the active site of this protein may be differentially modified to affect only one of its key functions. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  17. DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF CAROTENE-15, 15'-OXYGENASE AND CAROTENE-9', 10'-OXYGENASE IN SELECTED FERRET TISSUES AFTER BETA-CRYPTOXANTHIN SUPPLEMENTATION

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Dietary intake of foods rich in carotenoids, including beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin and lycopene, continue to be associated with a decreased risk of several chronic diseases. While this association continues to persist, the metabolic fate of many carotenoids continues to be elucidated. The car...

  18. Structure-Function Studies with the Unique Hexameric Form II Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase (Rubisco) from Rhodopseudomonas palustris*

    PubMed Central

    Satagopan, Sriram; Chan, Sum; Perry, L. Jeanne; Tabita, F. Robert

    2014-01-01

    The first x-ray crystal structure has been solved for an activated transition-state analog-bound form II ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). This enzyme, from Rhodopseudomonas palustris, assembles as a unique hexamer with three pairs of catalytic large subunit homodimers around a central 3-fold symmetry axis. This oligomer arrangement is unique among all known Rubisco structures, including the form II homolog from Rhodospirillum rubrum. The presence of a transition-state analog in the active site locked the activated enzyme in a “closed” conformation and revealed the positions of critical active site residues during catalysis. Functional roles of two form II-specific residues (Ile165 and Met331) near the active site were examined via site-directed mutagenesis. Substitutions at these residues affect function but not the ability of the enzyme to assemble. Random mutagenesis and suppressor selection in a Rubisco deletion strain of Rhodobacter capsulatus identified a residue in the amino terminus of one subunit (Ala47) that compensated for a negative change near the active site of a neighboring subunit. In addition, substitution of the native carboxyl-terminal sequence with the last few dissimilar residues from the related R. rubrum homolog increased the enzyme's kcat for carboxylation. However, replacement of a longer carboxyl-terminal sequence with termini from either a form III or a form I enzyme, which varied both in length and sequence, resulted in complete loss of function. From these studies, it is evident that a number of subtle interactions near the active site and the carboxyl terminus account for functional differences between the different forms of Rubiscos found in nature. PMID:24942737

  19. Structure-function studies with the unique hexameric form II ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) from Rhodopseudomonas palustris.

    PubMed

    Satagopan, Sriram; Chan, Sum; Perry, L Jeanne; Tabita, F Robert

    2014-08-01

    The first x-ray crystal structure has been solved for an activated transition-state analog-bound form II ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). This enzyme, from Rhodopseudomonas palustris, assembles as a unique hexamer with three pairs of catalytic large subunit homodimers around a central 3-fold symmetry axis. This oligomer arrangement is unique among all known Rubisco structures, including the form II homolog from Rhodospirillum rubrum. The presence of a transition-state analog in the active site locked the activated enzyme in a "closed" conformation and revealed the positions of critical active site residues during catalysis. Functional roles of two form II-specific residues (Ile(165) and Met(331)) near the active site were examined via site-directed mutagenesis. Substitutions at these residues affect function but not the ability of the enzyme to assemble. Random mutagenesis and suppressor selection in a Rubisco deletion strain of Rhodobacter capsulatus identified a residue in the amino terminus of one subunit (Ala(47)) that compensated for a negative change near the active site of a neighboring subunit. In addition, substitution of the native carboxyl-terminal sequence with the last few dissimilar residues from the related R. rubrum homolog increased the enzyme's kcat for carboxylation. However, replacement of a longer carboxyl-terminal sequence with termini from either a form III or a form I enzyme, which varied both in length and sequence, resulted in complete loss of function. From these studies, it is evident that a number of subtle interactions near the active site and the carboxyl terminus account for functional differences between the different forms of Rubiscos found in nature. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  20. Mechanism of inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase in human blood platelets by carbamate insecticides.

    PubMed Central

    Krug, H F; Hamm, U; Berndt, J

    1988-01-01

    Carbamates are a widely used class of insecticides and herbicides. They were tested for their ability to affect human blood platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid metabolism in platelets. (1) The herbicides of the carbamate type have no, or only little, influence up to a concentration of 100 microM; the carbamate insecticides, however, inhibit both aggregation and arachidonic acid metabolism in a dose- and time-dependent manner. (2) Carbaryl, the most effective compound, inhibits platelet aggregation and cyclo-oxygenase activity completely at 10 microM. The liberation of arachidonic acid from phospholipids and the lipoxygenase pathway are not affected, whereas the products of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway are drastically decreased. (3) By using [14C]carbaryl labelled in the carbamyl or in the ring moiety, it could be proved that the carbamyl residue binds covalently to platelet proteins. In contrast with acetylsalicylic acid, which acetylates only one protein, carbaryl carbamylates a multitude of platelet proteins. (4) One of the carbamylated proteins was found to be the platelet cyclo-oxygenase, indicating that carbaryl resembles in this respect acetylsalicylic acid, which is known to inhibit this enzyme specifically by acetylation. Images Fig. 4. PMID:3128272

  1. A model for the catabolism of rhizopine in Rhizobium leguminosarum involves a ferredoxin oxygenase complex and the inositol degradative pathway.

    PubMed

    Bahar, M; de Majnik, J; Wexler, M; Fry, J; Poole, P S; Murphy, P J

    1998-11-01

    Rhizopines are nodule-specific compounds that confer an intraspecies competitive nodulation advantage to strains that can catabolize them. The rhizopine (3-O-methyl-scyllo-inosamine, 3-O-MSI) catabolic moc gene cluster mocCABRDE(F) in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain 1a is located on the Sym plasmid. MocCABR are homologous to the mocCABR gene products from Sinorhizobium meliloti. MocD and MocE contain motifs corresponding to a TOL-like oxygenase and a [2Fe-2S] Rieske-like ferredoxin, respectively. The mocF gene encodes a ferredoxin reductase that would complete the oxygenase system, but is not essential for rhizopine catabolism. We propose a rhizopine catabolic model whereby MocB transports rhizopine into the cell and MocDE and MocF (or a similar protein elsewhere in the genome), under the regulation of MocR, act in concert to form a ferredoxin oxygenase system that demethylates 3-O-MSI to form scyllo-inosamine (SI). MocA, an NAD(H)-dependent dehydrogenase, and MocC continue the catabolic process. Compounds formed then enter the inositol catabolic pathway.

  2. Targeted expression of heme oxygenase-1 prevents the pulmonary inflammatory and vascular responses to hypoxia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Minamino, Tohru; Christou, Helen; Hsieh, Chung-Ming; Liu, Yuxiang; Dhawan, Vijender; Abraham, Nader G.; Perrella, Mark A.; Mitsialis, S. Alex; Kourembanas, Stella

    2001-07-01

    Chronic hypoxia causes pulmonary hypertension with smooth muscle cell proliferation and matrix deposition in the wall of the pulmonary arterioles. We demonstrate here that hypoxia also induces a pronounced inflammation in the lung before the structural changes of the vessel wall. The proinflammatory action of hypoxia is mediated by the induction of distinct cytokines and chemokines and is independent of tumor necrosis factor- signaling. We have previously proposed a crucial role for heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in protecting cardiomyocytes from hypoxic stress, and potent anti-inflammatory properties of HO-1 have been reported in models of tissue injury. We thus established transgenic mice that constitutively express HO-1 in the lung and exposed them to chronic hypoxia. HO-1 transgenic mice were protected from the development of both pulmonary inflammation as well as hypertension and vessel wall hypertrophy induced by hypoxia. Significantly, the hypoxic induction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines was suppressed in HO-1 transgenic mice. Our findings suggest an important protective function of enzymatic products of HO-1 activity as inhibitors of hypoxia-induced vasoconstrictive and proinflammatory pathways.

  3. The microsomal metabolism of the organometallic derivatives of the group-IV elements, germanium, tin and lead.

    PubMed Central

    Prough, R A; Stalmach, M A; Wiebkin, P; Bridges, J W

    1981-01-01

    The NADPH- and oxygen-dependent microsomal metabolism of the di-, tri- and tetra-ethyl-substituted derivatives of germanium, tin and lead was shown to give rise to ethylene as a major product and ethane as a minor product. These reactions were shown to be catalysed by the liver microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent mono-oxygenase. Since formation of ethane and ethylene was differentially inhibited by anaerobiosis, the results suggest that at least a large portion of the ethane produced may be derived by a reductive mechanism. Triethyltin bromide in both the absence and presence of NADPH was shown to convert cytochrome P-450 into cytochrome P-420 and to affect the function of the mono-oxygenase in vitro. Tetraethyltin caused the NADPH- and time-dependent formation of cytochrome P-420, suggesting that tetraethyltin is converted into triethyltin salts in significant concentrations. The order of potency in formation of cytochrome P-420 was closely paralleled by the ability of the tin derivatives to induce microsomal lipid peroxidation in vitro. PMID:7317015

  4. Loss of Kynurenine 3-Mono-oxygenase Causes Proteinuria.

    PubMed

    Korstanje, Ron; Deutsch, Konstantin; Bolanos-Palmieri, Patricia; Hanke, Nils; Schroder, Patricia; Staggs, Lynne; Bräsen, Jan H; Roberts, Ian S D; Sheehan, Susan; Savage, Holly; Haller, Hermann; Schiffer, Mario

    2016-11-01

    Changes in metabolite levels of the kynurenine pathway have been observed in patients with CKD, suggesting involvement of this pathway in disease pathogenesis. Our recent genetic analysis in the mouse identified the kynurenine 3-mono-oxygenase (KMO) gene (Kmo) as a candidate gene associated with albuminuria. This study investigated this association in more detail. We compared KMO abundance in the glomeruli of mice and humans under normal and diabetic conditions, observing a decrease in glomerular KMO expression with diabetes. Knockdown of kmo expression in zebrafish and genetic deletion of Kmo in mice each led to a proteinuria phenotype. We observed pronounced podocyte foot process effacement on long stretches of the filtration barrier in the zebrafish knockdown model and mild podocyte foot process effacement in the mouse model, whereas all other structures within the kidney remained unremarkable. These data establish the candidacy of KMO as a causal factor for changes in the kidney leading to proteinuria and indicate a functional role for KMO and metabolites of the tryptophan pathway in podocytes. Copyright © 2016 by the American Society of Nephrology.

  5. Mangiferin regulates cognitive deficits and heme oxygenase-1 induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice.

    PubMed

    Fu, Yanyan; Liu, Hongzhi; Song, Chengjie; Zhang, Fang; Liu, Yi; Wu, Jian; Wen, Xiangru; Liang, Chen; Ma, Kai; Li, Lei; Zhang, Xunbao; Shao, Xiaoping; Sun, Yafeng; Du, Yang; Song, Yuanjian

    2015-12-01

    Accumulating evidence reveals that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce neuroinflammation, ultimately leading to cognitive deficits. Mangiferin, a natural glucoxilxanthone, is known to possess various biological activities. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of mangiferin on LPS-induced cognitive deficits and explore the underlying mechanisms. Brain injury was induced in mice via intraperitoneal LPS injection (1mg/kg) for five consecutive days. Mangiferin was orally pretreatmented (50mg/kg) for seven days and then treatmented (50mg/kg) for five days after LPS injection. The Morris water maze was used to detect changes in cognitive function. Immunohistochemical and immunoblotting were respectively performed to measure the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the hippocampus. The results showed that mangiferin can ameliorate cognitive deficits. Moreover, mangiferin decreased LPS-induced IL-6 production and increase HO-1 in the hippocampus. Taken together, these results suggest that mangiferin attenuates LPS-induced cognitive deficits, which may be potentially linked to modulating HO-1 in the hippocampus. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  6. Inhibition of heme oxygenase-1 enhances the cytotoxic effect of gemcitabine in urothelial cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Miyake, Makito; Fujimoto, Kiyohide; Anai, Satoshi; Ohnishi, Sayuri; Nakai, Yasushi; Inoue, Takeshi; Matsumura, Yoshiaki; Tomioka, Atsushi; Ikeda, Tomohiro; Okajima, Eijiro; Tanaka, Nobumichi; Hirao, Yoshihiko

    2010-06-01

    Elevated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is associated with resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy through anti-apoptotic function. The present study evaluated whether the HO-1 inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), enhances the cytotoxic effect of gemcitabine in urothelial carcinoma (UC). The in vitro cytotoxic effect of combination treatment of gemcitabine and ZnPP on UC cells was examined. The in vivo growth inhibitory effects of intraperitoneal administration of gemcitabine and/or ZnPP on mouse subcutaneous tumours were examined. The apoptotic changes were analysed with the detection of DNA fragmentation and cleaved caspase-3. HO-1 was up-regulated by both gemcitabine and irradiation treatment in vitro. ZnPP sensitised the UC cells to both therapies. Enhanced apoptosis was induced by the ZnPP combined with gemicitabine. ZnPP enhanced the antitumour effect of gemcitabine in vivo along with decreased numbers of proliferating cells and increased numbers of apoptotic cells. These findings suggest that ZnPP combined with gemcitabine or irradiation therapy may be an effective therapeutic modality for UC patients.

  7. A route from darkness to light: emergence and evolution of luciferase activity in AMP-CoA-ligases inferred from a mealworm luciferase-like enzyme.

    PubMed

    Viviani, V R; Prado, R A; Neves, D R; Kato, D; Barbosa, J A

    2013-06-11

    The origin of luciferases and of bioluminescence is enigmatic. In beetles, luciferases seem to have evolved from AMP-CoA-ligases. How the new oxygenase luminogenic function originated from AMP-ligases leading to luciferases is one of the most challenging mysteries of bioluminescence. Comparison of the cloned luciferase-like enzyme from the nonluminescent Zophobas morio mealworm and beetle luciferases showed that the oxygenase activity may have emerged as a stereoselective oxidative drift with d-luciferin, a substrate that cannot be easily thioesterified to CoA as in the case of the l-isomer. While the overall kcat displayed by beetle luciferases is orders of magnitude greater than that of the luciferase-like enzyme, the respective oxidation rates and quantum yields of bioluminescence are roughly similar, suggesting that the rate constant of the AMP-ligase activity exerted on the new d-luciferin substrate in beetle protoluciferases was the main enzymatic property that suffered optimization during the evolution of luciferases. The luciferase-like enzyme and luciferases boost the rate of luciferyl-adenylate chemiluminescent oxidation by factors of 10(6) and 10(7), respectively, as compared to the substrate spontaneous oxidation in buffer. A similar enhancement of luciferyl-adenylate chemiluminescence is provided by nucleophilic aprotic solvents, implying that the peptide bonds in the luciferin binding site of beetle luciferase could provide a similar catalytically favorable environment. These data suggest that the luciferase-like enzyme and other similar AMP-ligases are potential alternative oxygenases. Site-directed mutagenesis studies of the luciferase-like enzyme and the red light-producing luciferase of Phrixotrix hirtus railroadworm confirm here a critical role for T/S345 in luciferase function. Mutations such as I327T/S in the luciferase-like enzyme, which simultaneously increases luciferase activity and promotes blue shifts in the emission spectrum, could have been critical for evolving functional bioluminescence from red-emitting protoluciferases. Through the combination of I327T/S mutations and N-terminal fusion, the luminescence activity of this enzyme was increased to visible levels, with the development of a totally new orange-emitting luciferase. These results open the possibility of engineering luciferase activity in a set of AMP-CoA-ligases.

  8. Banking of environmental samples for short-term biochemical and chemical monitoring of organic contamination in coastal marine environments: the GICBEM experience (1986-1990). Groupe Interface Chimie Biologie des Ecosystèmes, Marins.

    PubMed

    Garrigues, P; Narbonne, J F; Lafaurie, M; Ribera, D; Lemaire, P; Raoux, C; Michel, X; Salaun, J P; Monod, J L; Romeo, M

    1993-11-01

    The GICBEM (Groupe Interface Chimie Biologie des Ecosystèmes Marins) program consists of an evaluation of the ecosystem health status in the Mediterranean Sea mainly based on chemical and biochemical approaches. Specific chemical contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorobiphenyls (PCB), heavy metals) in waters, sediments, and related biotransformation indicators in target organisms (mussels, fish) have been selected for a complete survey of the coastal waters. In order to provide an appropriate sampling program for standardization for each sampling cruise, various aspects have been studied: (a) parameters for the choice of the sample sites; (b) ways of collection the samples (waters, sediments, marine organisms); and (c) preparation of the samples for a short term storage on board ship and for further analyses in the ground laboratory. Methods of preparation and storage of the samples are described and could be used to initiate an environmental banking program including both possible retrospective analyses of chemical pollutants and biochemical indicators. Moreover, the correlation between chemicals (PAH) and biochemical (mixed function oxygenase activities) parameters has been studied and this demonstrates the capability of the enzyme activities as reliable pollution biomarkers.

  9. The oxygenase-peroxidase theory of Bach and Chodat and its modern equivalents: change and permanence in scientific thinking as shown by our understanding of the roles of water, peroxide, and oxygen in the functioning of redox enzymes.

    PubMed

    Nicholls, P

    2007-10-01

    Alexander Bach was both revolutionary politician and biochemist. His earliest significant publication, "Tsar-golod" ("The Tsar of Hunger"), introduced Marxist thought to Russian workers. In exile for 30 years, he moved to study the dialectic of the oxidases. When his theory of oxidases as combinations of oxygenases and peroxidases was developed (circa 1900) the enzyme concept was not fully formulated, and the enzyme/substrate distinction not yet made. Peroxides however were then and remain now significant intermediates, when either free or bound, in oxidase catalyses. The aerobic dehydrogenase/peroxidase/catalase coupled systems which were studied slightly later clarified the Bach model and briefly became an oxidase paradigm. Identification of peroxidase as a metalloprotein, a key step in understanding oxidase and peroxidase mechanisms, postdated Bach's major work. Currently we recognize catalytic organic peroxides in flavoprotein oxygenases; such organic peroxides are also involved in lipid oxidation and tryptophan radical decay. But most physiologically important peroxides are now known to be bound to transition metals (either Fe or Cu) and formed both directly and indirectly (from oxygen). The typical stable metalloprotein peroxide product is the ferryl state. When both peroxide oxidizing equivalents are retained the second equivalent is held as a protein or porphyrin radical. True metal peroxide complexes are unstable. But often water molecules mark the spot where the original peroxide decayed. The cytochrome c oxidase Fe-Cu center can react with either peroxide or oxygen to form the intermediate higher oxidation states P and F. In its resting state water molecules and hydroxyl ions can be seen marking the original location of the oxygen or peroxide molecule.

  10. Isocyanides inhibit human heme oxygenases at the verdoheme stage.

    PubMed

    Evans, John P; Kandel, Sylvie; Ortiz de Montellano, Paul R

    2009-09-22

    Heme oxygenases (HO) catalyze the oxidative cleavage of heme to generate biliverdin, CO, and free iron. In humans, heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) is overexpressed in tumor tissues, where it helps to protect cancer cells from anticancer agents, while HOs in fungal pathogens, such as Candida albicans, function as the primary means of iron acquisition. Thus, HO can be considered a potential therapeutic target for certain diseases. In this study, we have examined the equilibrium binding of three isocyanides, isopropyl, n-butyl, and benzyl, to the two major human HO isoforms (hHO-1 and hHO-2), Candida albicans HO (CaHmx1), and human cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 using electronic absorption spectroscopy. Isocyanides coordinate to both ferric and ferrous HO-bound heme, with tighter binding by the more hydrophobic isocyanides and 200-300-fold tighter binding to the ferrous form. Benzyl isocyanide was the strongest ligand to ferrous heme in all the enzymes. Because the dissociation constants (KD) of the ligands for ferrous heme-hHO-1 were below the limit of accuracy for equilibrium titrations, stopped-flow kinetic experiments were used to measure the binding parameters of the isocyanides to ferrous hHO-1. Steady-state activity assays showed that benzyl isocyanide was the most potent uncompetitive inhibitor with respect to heme with a KI = 0.15 microM for hHO-1. Importantly, single turnover assays revealed that the reaction was completely stopped by coordination of the isocyanide to the verdoheme intermediate rather than to the ferric heme complex. Much tighter binding of the inhibitor to the verdoheme intermediate differentiates it from inhibition of, for example, CYP3A4 and offers a possible route to more selective inhibitor design.

  11. Kidneys From α1,3-Galactosyltransferase Knockout/Human Heme Oxygenase-1/Human A20 Transgenic Pigs Are Protected From Rejection During Ex Vivo Perfusion With Human Blood.

    PubMed

    Ahrens, Hellen E; Petersen, Björn; Ramackers, Wolf; Petkov, Stoyan; Herrmann, Doris; Hauschild-Quintern, Janet; Lucas-Hahn, Andrea; Hassel, Petra; Ziegler, Maren; Baars, Wiebke; Bergmann, Sabine; Schwinzer, Reinhard; Winkler, Michael; Niemann, Heiner

    2015-07-01

    Multiple modifications of the porcine genome are required to prevent rejection after pig-to-primate xenotransplantation. Here, we produced pigs with a knockout of the α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene (GGTA1-KO) combined with transgenic expression of the human anti-apoptotic/anti-inflammatory molecules heme oxygenase-1 and A20, and investigated their xenoprotective properties. The GGTA1-KO/human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1)/human A20 (hA20) transgenic pigs were produced in a stepwise approach using zinc finger nuclease vectors targeting the GGTA1 gene and a Sleeping Beauty vector coding for hA20. Two piglets were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and sequencing. The biological function of the genetic modifications was tested in a (51)Chromium release assay and by ex vivo kidney perfusions with human blood. Disruption of the GGTA1 gene by deletion of few basepairs was demonstrated in GGTA1-KO/hHO-1/hA20 transgenic pigs. The hHO-1 and hA20 mRNA expression was confirmed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Ex vivo perfusion of 2 transgenic kidneys was feasible for the maximum experimental time of 240 minutes without symptoms of rejection. Results indicate that GGTA1-KO/hHO-1/hA20 transgenic pigs are a promising model to alleviate rejection and ischemia-reperfusion damage in porcine xenografts and could serve as a background for further genetic modifications toward the production of a donor pig that is clinically relevant for xenotransplantation.

  12. Isocyanides Inhibit Human Heme Oxygenases at the Verdoheme Stage†

    PubMed Central

    Evans, John P.; Kandel, Sylvie; Ortiz de Montellano, Paul R.

    2010-01-01

    Heme oxygenases (HO) catalyze the oxidative cleavage of heme to generate biliverdin, CO, and free iron. In humans, heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) is overexpressed in tumor tissues, where it helps to protect cancer cells from anticancer agents, while HOs in fungal pathogens, such as Candida albicans, function as the primary means of iron acquisition. Thus, HO can be considered a potential therapeutic target for certain diseases. In this study, we have examined the equilibrium binding of three isocyanides; isopropyl, n-butyl, and benzyl, to the two major human HO isoforms (hHO-1 and hHO-2), Candida albicans HO (CaHmx1), and human cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 using electronic absorption spectroscopy. Isocyanides coordinate to both ferric and ferrous HO-bound heme, with tighter binding by the more hydrophobic isocyanides, and 200-300-fold tighter binding to the ferrous form. Benzyl isocyanide was the strongest ligand to ferrous heme in all the enzymes. Because the dissociation constants (KD) of the ligands for ferrous heme-hHO-1 were below the limit of accuracy for equilibrium titrations, stopped-flow kinetic experiments were used to measure the binding parameters of the isocyanides to ferrous hHO-1. Steady-state activity assays showed that benzyl isocyanide was the most potent uncompetitive inhibitor with respect to heme with a KI = 0.15 μM for hHO-1. Importantly, single turnover assays revealed that the reaction was completely stopped by coordination of the isocyanide to the verdoheme intermediate rather than to the ferric heme complex. Much tighter binding of the inhibitor to the verdoheme intermediate differentiates it from inhibition of, for example, CYP3A4 and offers a possible route to more selective inhibitor design. PMID:19694439

  13. Kidneys From α1,3-Galactosyltransferase Knockout/Human Heme Oxygenase-1/Human A20 Transgenic Pigs Are Protected From Rejection During Ex Vivo Perfusion With Human Blood

    PubMed Central

    Ahrens, Hellen E.; Petersen, Björn; Ramackers, Wolf; Petkov, Stoyan; Herrmann, Doris; Hauschild-Quintern, Janet; Lucas-Hahn, Andrea; Hassel, Petra; Ziegler, Maren; Baars, Wiebke; Bergmann, Sabine; Schwinzer, Reinhard; Winkler, Michael; Niemann, Heiner

    2015-01-01

    Background Multiple modifications of the porcine genome are required to prevent rejection after pig-to-primate xenotransplantation. Here, we produced pigs with a knockout of the α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene (GGTA1-KO) combined with transgenic expression of the human anti-apoptotic/anti-inflammatory molecules heme oxygenase-1 and A20, and investigated their xenoprotective properties. Methods The GGTA1-KO/human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1)/human A20 (hA20) transgenic pigs were produced in a stepwise approach using zinc finger nuclease vectors targeting the GGTA1 gene and a Sleeping Beauty vector coding for hA20. Two piglets were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and sequencing. The biological function of the genetic modifications was tested in a 51Chromium release assay and by ex vivo kidney perfusions with human blood. Results Disruption of the GGTA1 gene by deletion of few basepairs was demonstrated in GGTA1-KO/hHO-1/hA20 transgenic pigs. The hHO-1 and hA20 mRNA expression was confirmed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Ex vivo perfusion of 2 transgenic kidneys was feasible for the maximum experimental time of 240 minutes without symptoms of rejection. Conclusions Results indicate that GGTA1-KO/hHO-1/hA20 transgenic pigs are a promising model to alleviate rejection and ischemia-reperfusion damage in porcine xenografts and could serve as a background for further genetic modifications toward the production of a donor pig that is clinically relevant for xenotransplantation. PMID:27500225

  14. Glutathione peroxidase contributes with heme oxygenase-1 to redox balance in mouse brain during the course of cerebral malaria.

    PubMed

    Linares, María; Marín-García, Patricia; Martínez-Chacón, Gabriela; Pérez-Benavente, Susana; Puyet, Antonio; Diez, Amalia; Bautista, José M

    2013-12-01

    Oxidative stress has been attributed both a key pathogenic and rescuing role in cerebral malaria (CM). In a Plasmodium berghei ANKA murine model of CM, host redox signaling and functioning were examined during the course of neurological damage. Host antioxidant defenses were early altered at the transcriptional level indicated by the gradually diminished expression of superoxide dismutase-1 (sod-1), sod-2, sod-3 and catalase genes. During severe disease, this led to the dysfunctional activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in damaged brain regions. Vitagene associated markers (heat shock protein 70 and thioredoxin-1) also showed a decaying expression pattern that paralleled reduced expression of the transcription factors Parkinson disease 7, Forkhead box O 3 and X-box binding protein 1 with a role in preserving brain redox status. However, the oxidative stress markers reactive oxygen/nitrogen species were not accumulated in the brains of CM mice and redox proteomics and immunohistochemistry failed to detect quantitative or qualitative differences in protein carbonylation. Thus, the loss of antioxidant capacity was compensated for in all cerebral regions by progressive upregulation of heme oxygenase-1, and in specific regions by early glutathione peroxidase-1 induction. This study shows for the first time a scenario of cooperative glutathione peroxidase and heme oxygenase-1 upregulation to suppress superoxide dismutase, catalase, heat shock protein-70 and thioredoxin-1 downregulation effects in experimental CM, counteracting oxidative damage and maintaining redox equilibrium. Our findings reconcile the apparent inconsistency between the lack of oxidative metabolite build up and reported protective effect of antioxidant therapy against CM. © 2013.

  15. Characterization of 3-ketosteroid 9{alpha}-hydroxylase, a Rieske oxygenase in the cholesterol degradation pathway of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

    PubMed

    Capyk, Jenna K; D'Angelo, Igor; Strynadka, Natalie C; Eltis, Lindsay D

    2009-04-10

    KshAB (3-Ketosteroid 9alpha-hydroxylase) is a two-component Rieske oxygenase (RO) in the cholesterol catabolic pathway of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although the enzyme has been implicated in pathogenesis, it has largely been characterized by bioinformatics and molecular genetics. Purified KshB, the reductase component, was a monomeric protein containing a plant-type [2Fe-2S] cluster and FAD. KshA, the oxygenase, was a homotrimer containing a Rieske [2Fe-2S] cluster and mononuclear ferrous iron. Of two potential substrates, reconstituted KshAB had twice the specificity for 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione as for 4-androstene-3,17-dione. The transformation of both substrates was well coupled to the consumption of O(2). Nevertheless, the reactivity of KshAB with O(2) was low in the presence of 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione, with a k(cat)/K(m)(O(2)) of 2450 +/- 80 m(-1) s(-1). The crystallographic structure of KshA, determined to 2.3A(,) revealed an overall fold and a head-to-tail subunit arrangement typical of ROs. The central fold of the catalytic domain lacks all insertions found in characterized ROs, consistent with a minimal and perhaps archetypical RO catalytic domain. The structure of KshA is further distinguished by a C-terminal helix, which stabilizes subunit interactions in the functional trimer. Finally, the substrate-binding pocket extends farther into KshA than in other ROs, consistent with the large steroid substrate, and the funnel accessing the active site is differently orientated. This study provides a solid basis for further studies of a key steroid-transforming enzyme of biotechnological and medical importance.

  16. Characterization of 3-Ketosteroid 9α-Hydroxylase, a Rieske Oxygenase in the Cholesterol Degradation Pathway of Mycobacterium tuberculosis*S⃞

    PubMed Central

    Capyk, Jenna K.; D'Angelo, Igor; Strynadka, Natalie C.; Eltis, Lindsay D.

    2009-01-01

    KshAB (3-Ketosteroid 9α-hydroxylase) is a two-component Rieske oxygenase (RO) in the cholesterol catabolic pathway of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although the enzyme has been implicated in pathogenesis, it has largely been characterized by bioinformatics and molecular genetics. Purified KshB, the reductase component, was a monomeric protein containing a plant-type [2Fe-2S] cluster and FAD. KshA, the oxygenase, was a homotrimer containing a Rieske [2Fe-2S] cluster and mononuclear ferrous iron. Of two potential substrates, reconstituted KshAB had twice the specificity for 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione as for 4-androstene-3,17-dione. The transformation of both substrates was well coupled to the consumption of O2. Nevertheless, the reactivity of KshAB with O2 was low in the presence of 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione, with a kcat/KmO2 of 2450 ± 80 m–1 s–1. The crystallographic structure of KshA, determined to 2.3Å, revealed an overall fold and a head-to-tail subunit arrangement typical of ROs. The central fold of the catalytic domain lacks all insertions found in characterized ROs, consistent with a minimal and perhaps archetypical RO catalytic domain. The structure of KshA is further distinguished by a C-terminal helix, which stabilizes subunit interactions in the functional trimer. Finally, the substrate-binding pocket extends farther into KshA than in other ROs, consistent with the large steroid substrate, and the funnel accessing the active site is differently orientated. This study provides a solid basis for further studies of a key steroid-transforming enzyme of biotechnological and medical importance. PMID:19234303

  17. The bhuQ Gene Encodes a Heme Oxygenase That Contributes to the Ability of Brucella abortus 2308 To Use Heme as an Iron Source and Is Regulated by Irr

    PubMed Central

    Ojeda, Jenifer F.; Martinson, David A.; Menscher, Evan A.

    2012-01-01

    The Brucella BhuQ protein is a homolog of the Bradyrhizobium japonicum heme oxygenases HmuD and HmuQ. To determine if this protein plays a role in the ability of Brucella abortus 2308 to use heme as an iron source, an isogenic bhuQ mutant was constructed and its phenotype evaluated. Although the Brucella abortus bhuQ mutant DCO1 did not exhibit a defect in its capacity to use heme as an iron source or evidence of increased heme toxicity in vitro, this mutant produced increased levels of siderophore in response to iron deprivation compared to 2308. Introduction of a bhuQ mutation into the B. abortus dhbC mutant BHB2 (which cannot produce siderophores) resulted in a severe growth defect in the dhbC bhuQ double mutant JFO1 during cultivation under iron-restricted conditions, which could be rescued by the addition of FeCl3, but not heme, to the growth medium. The bhuQ gene is cotranscribed with the gene encoding the iron-responsive regulator RirA, and both of these genes are repressed by the other major iron-responsive regulator in the alphaproteobacteria, Irr. The results of these studies suggest that B. abortus 2308 has at least one other heme oxygenase that works in concert with BhuQ to allow this strain to efficiently use heme as an iron source. The genetic organization of the rirA-bhuQ operon also provides the basis for the proposition that BhuQ may perform a previously unrecognized function by allowing the transcriptional regulator RirA to recognize heme as an iron source. PMID:22636783

  18. Ribulose-1,5-Bis-Phosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase Accumulation Factor1 Is Required for Holoenzyme Assembly in Maize[C][W

    PubMed Central

    Feiz, Leila; Williams-Carrier, Rosalind; Wostrikoff, Katia; Belcher, Susan; Barkan, Alice; Stern, David B.

    2012-01-01

    Most life is ultimately sustained by photosynthesis and its rate-limiting carbon fixing enzyme, ribulose-1,5-bis-phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). Although the structurally comparable cyanobacterial Rubisco is amenable to in vitro assembly, the higher plant enzyme has been refractory to such manipulation due to poor understanding of its assembly pathway. Here, we report the identification of a chloroplast protein required for Rubisco accumulation in maize (Zea mays), RUBISCO ACCUMULATION FACTOR1 (RAF1), which lacks any characterized functional domains. Maize lines lacking RAF1 due to Mutator transposon insertions are Rubisco deficient and seedling lethal. Analysis of transcripts and proteins showed that Rubisco large subunit synthesis in raf1 plants is not compromised; however, newly synthesized Rubisco large subunit appears in a high molecular weight form whose accumulation requires a specific chaperonin 60 isoform. Gel filtration analysis and blue native gels showed that endogenous and recombinant RAF1 are trimeric; however, following in vivo cross-linking, RAF1 copurifies with Rubisco large subunit, suggesting that they interact weakly or transiently. RAF1 is predominantly expressed in bundle sheath chloroplasts, consistent with a Rubisco accumulation function. Our results support the hypothesis that RAF1 acts during Rubisco assembly by releasing and/or sequestering the large subunit from chaperonins early in the assembly process. PMID:22942379

  19. Expression of glnB and a glnB-Like Gene (glnK) in a Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase-Deficient Mutant of Rhodobacter sphaeroides

    PubMed Central

    Qian, Yilei; Tabita, F. Robert

    1998-01-01

    In a ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO)-deficient mutant of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, strain 16PHC, nitrogenase activity was derepressed in the presence of ammonia under photoheterotrophic growth conditions. Previous studies also showed that reintroduction of a functional RubisCO and Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) pathway suppressed the deregulation of nitrogenase synthesis in this strain. In this study, the derepression of nitrogenase synthesis in the presence of ammonia in strain 16PHC was further explored by using a glnB::lacZ fusion, since the product of the glnB gene is known to have a negative effect on ammonia-regulated nif control. It was found that glnB expression was repressed in strain 16PHC under photoheterotrophic growth conditions with either ammonia or glutamate as the nitrogen source; glutamine synthetase (GS) levels were also affected in this strain. However, when cells regained a functional CBB pathway by trans complementation of the deleted genes, wild-type levels of GS and glnB expression were restored. Furthermore, a glnB-like gene, glnK, was isolated from this organism, and its expression was found to be under tight nitrogen control in the wild type. Surprisingly, glnK expression was found to be derepressed in strain 16PHC under photoheterotrophic conditions in the presence of ammonia. PMID:9721307

  20. Dicamba Monooxygenase: Structural Insights into a Dynamic Rieske Oxygenase that Catalyzes an Exocyclic Monooxygenation

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

    D'Ordine, Robert L.; Rydel, Timothy J.; Storek, Michael J.

    2009-09-08

    Dicamba (2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid) O-demethylase (DMO) is the terminal Rieske oxygenase of a three-component system that includes a ferredoxin and a reductase. It catalyzes the NADH-dependent oxidative demethylation of the broad leaf herbicide dicamba. DMO represents the first crystal structure of a Rieske non-heme iron oxygenase that performs an exocyclic monooxygenation, incorporating O{sub 2} into a side-chain moiety and not a ring system. The structure reveals a 3-fold symmetric trimer ({alpha}{sub 3}) in the crystallographic asymmetric unit with similar arrangement of neighboring inter-subunit Rieske domain and non-heme iron site enabling electron transport consistent with other structurally characterized Rieske oxygenases. While themore » Rieske domain is similar, differences are observed in the catalytic domain, which is smaller in sequence length than those described previously, yet possessing an active-site cavity of larger volume when compared to oxygenases with larger substrates. Consistent with the amphipathic substrate, the active site is designed to interact with both the carboxylate and aromatic ring with both key polar and hydrophobic interactions observed. DMO structures were solved with and without substrate (dicamba), product (3,6-dichlorosalicylic acid), and either cobalt or iron in the non-heme iron site. The substitution of cobalt for iron revealed an uncommon mode of non-heme iron binding trapped by the non-catalytic Co{sup 2+}, which, we postulate, may be transiently present in the native enzyme during the catalytic cycle. Thus, we present four DMO structures with resolutions ranging from 1.95 to 2.2 {angstrom}, which, in sum, provide a snapshot of a dynamic enzyme where metal binding and substrate binding are coupled to observed structural changes in the non-heme iron and catalytic sites.« less

  1. Structural and functional basis of phospholipid oxygenase activity of bacterial lipoxygenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

    PubMed

    Banthiya, Swathi; Kalms, Jacqueline; Galemou Yoga, Etienne; Ivanov, Igor; Carpena, Xavi; Hamberg, Mats; Kuhn, Hartmut; Scheerer, Patrick

    2016-11-01

    Pseudomonas aeruginosa expresses a secreted LOX-isoform (PA-LOX, LoxA) capable of oxidizing polyenoic fatty acids to hydroperoxy derivatives. Here we report high-level expression of this enzyme in E. coli and its structural and functional characterization. Recombinant PA-LOX oxygenates polyenoic fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid to the corresponding (n-6)S-hydroperoxy derivatives. This reaction involves abstraction of the proS-hydrogen from the n-8 bisallylic methylene. PA-LOX lacks major leukotriene synthase activity but converts 5S-HETE and 5S,6R/S-DiHETE to anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipoxins. It also exhibits phospholipid oxygenase activity as indicated by the formation of a specific pattern of oxygenation products from different phospholipid subspecies. Multiple mutagenesis studies revealed that PA-LOX does not follow classical concepts explaining the reaction specificity of mammalian LOXs. The crystal structure of PA-LOX was solved with resolutions of up to 1.48Å and its polypeptide chain is folded as single domain. The substrate-binding pocket consists of two fatty acid binding subcavities and lobby. Subcavity-1 contains the catalytic non-heme iron. A phosphatidylethanolamine molecule occupies the substrate-binding pocket and its sn1 fatty acid is located close to the catalytic non-heme iron. His377, His382, His555, Asn559 and the C-terminal Ile685 function as direct iron ligands and a water molecule (hydroxyl) completes the octahedral ligand sphere. Although the biological relevance of PA-LOX is still unknown its functional characteristics (lipoxin synthase activity) implicate this enzyme in a bacterial evasion strategy aimed at downregulating the hosts' immune system. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Therapy Provides Cardioprotection Via Control of Post-Ischemic Inflammation: An Experimental Study in a Pre-Clinical Pig Model.

    PubMed

    Hinkel, Rabea; Lange, Philipp; Petersen, Björn; Gottlieb, Elena; Ng, Judy King Man; Finger, Stefanie; Horstkotte, Jan; Lee, Seungmin; Thormann, Michael; Knorr, Maike; El-Aouni, Chiraz; Boekstegers, Peter; Reichart, Bruno; Wenzel, Philip; Niemann, Heiner; Kupatt, Christian

    2015-07-14

    Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an inducible stress-responsive enzyme converting heme to bilirubin, carbon monoxide, and free iron, which exerts anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. Although efficient cardioprotection after HO-1 overexpression has been reported in rodents, its role in attenuating post-ischemic inflammation is unclear. This study assessed the efficacy of recombinant adenoassociated virus (rAAV)-encoding human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) in attenuating post-ischemic inflammation in a murine and a porcine ischemia/reperfusion model. Murine ischemia was induced by 45 min of left anterior descending occlusion, followed by 24 h of reperfusion and functional as well as fluorescent-activated cell sorting analysis. Porcine hearts were subjected to 60 min of ischemia and 24h of reperfusion before hemodynamic and histologic analyses were performed. Human microvascular endothelial cells transfected with hHO-1 displayed an attenuated interleukin-6 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression, resulting in reduced monocytic THP-1 cell recruitment in vitro. In murine left anterior descending occlusion and reperfusion, the post-ischemic influx of CD45(+) leukocytes, Ly-6G(+) neutrophils, and Ly-6C(high) monocytes was further exacerbated in HO-1-deficient hearts and reversed by rAAV.hHO-1 treatment. Conversely, in our porcine model of ischemia, the post-ischemic influx of myeloperoxidase-positive neutrophils and CD14(+) monocytes was reduced by 49% and 87% after rAAV.hHO-1 transduction, similar to hHO-1 transgenic pigs. Functionally, rAAV.hHO-1 and hHO-1 transgenic left ventricles displayed a smaller loss of ejection fraction than control animals. Whereas HO-1 deficiency exacerbates post-ischemic cardiac inflammation in mice, hHO-1 gene therapy attenuates inflammation after ischemia and reperfusion in murine and porcine hearts. Regional hHO-1 gene therapy provides cardioprotection in a pre-clinical porcine ischemia/reperfusion model. Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Biogeochemical Cycling of Manganese at Hydrothermal Vents

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-01-01

    from an anoxic basin) contain the gene for the large subunit of Ribulose- 1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase Oxygenase ( RubisCO ) suggestive of autotrophy... RubisCO gene probing on the bacterial isolates obtained from the hydrothermal vent environments as part of an ongoing ONR contract. In addition, we have...to test the feasibility of using gene probes for Ribulose-l,5- bisphosphate Carboxylase Oxygenase ( RubisCO ) for identifying autotrophic Mn(II

  4. A Role for TIC55 as a Hydroxylase of Phyllobilins, the Products of Chlorophyll Breakdown during Plant Senescence[OPEN

    PubMed Central

    Christ, Bastien; Das, Aditi; Hörtensteiner, Stefan

    2016-01-01

    Chlorophyll degradation is the most obvious hallmark of leaf senescence. Phyllobilins, linear tetrapyrroles that are derived from opening of the chlorin macrocycle by the Rieske-type oxygenase PHEOPHORBIDE a OXYGENASE (PAO), are the end products of chlorophyll degradation. Phyllobilins carry defined modifications at several peripheral positions within the tetrapyrrole backbone. While most of these modifications are species-specific, hydroxylation at the C32 position is commonly found in all species analyzed to date. We demonstrate that this hydroxylation occurs in senescent chloroplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana. Using bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) chromoplasts, we establish that phyllobilin hydroxylation is catalyzed by a membrane-bound, molecular oxygen-dependent, and ferredoxin-dependent activity. As these features resemble the requirements of PAO, we considered membrane-bound Rieske-type oxygenases as potential candidates. Analysis of mutants of the two Arabidopsis Rieske-type oxygenases (besides PAO) uncovered that phyllobilin hydroxylation depends on TRANSLOCON AT THE INNER CHLOROPLAST ENVELOPE55 (TIC55). Our work demonstrates a catalytic activity for TIC55, which in the past has been considered as a redox sensor of protein import into plastids. Given the wide evolutionary distribution of both PAO and TIC55, we consider that chlorophyll degradation likely coevolved with land plants. PMID:27655840

  5. CD, MCD and VTVH MCD Studies of Biferrous and Mixed-Valent myo-Inositol Oxygenase: Insights into Substrate Activation of O2 Reactivity

    PubMed Central

    Snyder, Rae Ana; Bell, Caleb B.; Diao, Yinghui; Krebs, Carsten; Bollinger, J. Martin; Solomon, Edward I.

    2013-01-01

    Myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) catalyzes the 4e− oxidation of myo-inositol (MI) to D-glucuronate using a substrate activated Fe(II)Fe(III) site. The biferrous and Fe(II)Fe(III) forms of MIOX were studied with circular dichroism (CD), magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and variable temperature variable field (VTVH) MCD spectroscopies. The MCD spectrum of biferrous MIOX shows two ligand field (LF) transitions near 10,000 cm−1, split by ~2,000 cm−1, characteristic of 6 coordinate (6C) Fe(II) sites, indicating that the modest reactivity of the biferrous form toward O2 can be attributed to the saturated coordination of both irons. Upon oxidation to the Fe(II)Fe(III) state, MIOX shows two LF transitions in the ~10,000 cm−1 region, again implying a coordinatively saturated Fe(II) site. Upon MI binding, these split in energy to 5,200 cm−1 and 11,200 cm−1, showing that MI binding causes the Fe(II) to become coordinately unsaturated. VTVH MCD magnetization curves of unbound and MI-bound Fe(II)Fe(III) forms show that upon substrate binding, the isotherms become more nested, requiring that the exchange coupling and ferrous zero field splitting (ZFS) both decrease in magnitude. These results imply that MI binds to the ferric site, weakening the Fe(III)-μ-OH bond and strengthening the Fe(II)-μ-OH bond. This perturbation results in the release of a coordinated water from the Fe(II) that enables its O2 activation. PMID:24066857

  6. Transgenic expression of human heme oxygenase-1 in pigs confers resistance against xenograft rejection during ex vivo perfusion of porcine kidneys.

    PubMed

    Petersen, Björn; Ramackers, Wolf; Lucas-Hahn, Andrea; Lemme, Erika; Hassel, Petra; Queisser, Anna-Lisa; Herrmann, Doris; Barg-Kues, Brigitte; Carnwath, Joseph W; Klose, Johannes; Tiede, Andreas; Friedrich, Lars; Baars, Wiebke; Schwinzer, Reinhard; Winkler, Michael; Niemann, Heiner

    2011-01-01

    The major immunological hurdle to successful porcine-to-human xenotransplantation is the acute vascular rejection (AVR), characterized by endothelial cell (EC) activation and perturbation of coagulation. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and its derivatives have anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory effects and protect against reactive oxygen species, rendering HO-1 a promising molecule to control AVR. Here, we report the production and characterization of pigs transgenic for human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) and demonstrate significant protection in porcine kidneys against xenograft rejection in ex vivo perfusion with human blood and transgenic porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) in a TNF-α-mediated apoptosis assay. Transgenic and non-transgenic PAEC were tested in a TNF-α-mediated apoptosis assay. Expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin) was measured by real-time PCR. hHO-1 transgenic porcine kidneys were perfused with pooled and diluted human AB blood in an ex vivo perfusion circuit. MHC class-II up-regulation after induction with IFN-γ was compared between wild-type and hHO-1 transgenic PAEC. Cloned hHO-1 transgenic pigs expressed hHO-1 in heart, kidney, liver, and in cultured ECs and fibroblasts. hHO-1 transgenic PAEC were protected against TNF-α-mediated apoptosis. Real-time PCR revealed reduced expression of adhesion molecules like ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin. These effects could be abrogated by the incubation of transgenic PAECs with the specific HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphorine IX (Zn(II)PPIX, 20 μm). IFN-γ induced up-regulation of MHC class-II molecules was significantly reduced in PAECs from hHO-1 transgenic pigs. hHO-1 transgenic porcine kidneys could successfully be perfused with diluted human AB-pooled blood for a maximum of 240 min (with and without C1 inh), while in wild-type kidneys, blood flow ceased after ∼60 min. Elevated levels of d-Dimer and TAT were detected, but no significant consumption of fibrinogen and antithrombin was determined. Microthrombi could not be detected histologically. These results are encouraging and warrant further studies on the biological function of heme oxygenase-I expression in hHO-1 transgenic pigs in the context of xenotransplantation. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

  7. Biomimetic methane oxidation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Watkins, B. E.; Droege, M. W.; Taylor, R. T.; Satcher, J. H.

    1992-06-01

    Methane monooxygenase (MMO) is an enzyme found in methanotrophs that catalyses the selective oxidation of methane to methanol. MMO is protein complex one component of which is a binuclear metal center containing oxygenase. We have completed one round of a design/synthesis/evaluation cycle in the development of coordination complexes that mimic the structure/function of the MMO active site. One of these, a binuclear, coordinately-asymmetric copper complex, is capable of oxidizing cyclohexane to a mixture of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

  8. Polyamine conjugation of curcumin analogues toward the discovery of mitochondria-directed neuroprotective agents.

    PubMed

    Simoni, Elena; Bergamini, Christian; Fato, Romana; Tarozzi, Andrea; Bains, Sandip; Motterlini, Roberto; Cavalli, Andrea; Bolognesi, Maria Laura; Minarini, Anna; Hrelia, Patrizia; Lenaz, Giorgio; Rosini, Michela; Melchiorre, Carlo

    2010-10-14

    Mitochondria-directed antioxidants 2-5 were designed by conjugating curcumin congeners with different polyamine motifs as vehicle tools. The conjugates emerged as efficient antioxidants in mitochondria and fibroblasts and also exerted a protecting role through heme oxygenase-1 activation. Notably, the insertion of a polyamine function into the curcumin-like moiety allowed an efficient intracellular uptake and mitochondria targeting. It also resulted in a significant decrease in the cytotoxicity effects. 2-5 are therefore promising molecules for neuroprotectant lead discovery.

  9. Gene cloning and in vivo characterization of a dibenzothiophene dioxygenase from Xanthobacter polyaromaticivorans.

    PubMed

    Hirano, Shin-Ichi; Haruki, Mitsuru; Takano, Kazufumi; Imanaka, Tadayuki; Morikawa, Masaaki; Kanaya, Shigenori

    2006-02-01

    Xanthobacter polyaromaticivorans sp. nov. 127W is a bacterial strain that is capable of degrading a wide range of cyclic aromatic compounds such as dibenzothiophene, biphenyl, naphthalene, anthracene, and phenanthrene even under extremely low oxygen [dissolved oxygen (DO)< or = 0.2 ppm] conditions (Hirano et al., Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 68:557-564, 2004). A major protein fraction carrying dibenzothiophene degradation activity was purified. Based on its partial amino acid sequences, dbdCa gene encoding alpha subunit terminal oxygenase (DbdCa) and its flanking region were cloned and sequenced. A phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequence demonstrates that DbdCa is a member of a terminal oxygenase component of group IV ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases for biphenyls and monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, rather than group III dioxygenases for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Gene disruption in dbdCa abolished almost of the degradation activity against biphenyl, dibenzothiophene, and anthracene. The gene disruption also impaired degradation activity of the strain under extremely low oxygen conditions (DO< or = 0.2 ppm). These results indicate that Dbd from 127W represents a group IV dioxygenase that is functional even under extremely low oxygen conditions.

  10. Human heme oxygenase-1 gene transfer lowers blood pressure and promotes growth in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Sabaawy, H E; Zhang, F; Nguyen, X; ElHosseiny, A; Nasjletti, A; Schwartzman, M; Dennery, P; Kappas, A; Abraham, N G

    2001-08-01

    Heme oxygenase (HO) catalyzes the conversion of heme to biliverdin, with release of free iron and carbon monoxide. Both heme and carbon monoxide have been implicated in the regulation of vascular tone. A retroviral vector containing human HO-1 cDNA (LSN-HHO-1) was constructed and subjected to purification and concentration of the viral particles to achieve 5x10(9) to 1x10(10) colony-forming units per milliliter. The ability of concentrated infectious viral particles to express human HO-1 (HHO-1) in vivo was tested. A single intracardiac injection of the concentrated infectious viral particles (expressing HHO-1) to 5-day-old spontaneously hypertensive rats resulted in functional expression of the HHO-1 gene and attenuation of the development of hypertension. Rats expressing HHO-1 showed a significant decrease in urinary excretion of a vasoconstrictor arachidonic acid metabolite and a reduction in myogenic responses to increased intraluminal pressure in isolated arterioles. Unexpectedly, HHO-1 chimeric rats showed a simultaneous significant proportionate increase in somatic growth. Thus, delivery of HHO-1 gene by retroviral vector attenuates the development of hypertension and promotes body growth in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

  11. Modulation of antigen processing by haem-oxygenase 1. Implications on inflammation and tolerance.

    PubMed

    Riquelme, Sebastián A; Carreño, Leandro J; Espinoza, Janyra A; Mackern-Oberti, Juan Pablo; Alvarez-Lobos, Manuel M; Riedel, Claudia A; Bueno, Susan M; Kalergis, Alexis M

    2016-09-01

    Haem-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an enzyme responsible for the degradation of haem that can suppress inflammation, through the production of carbon monoxide (CO). It has been shown in several experimental models that genetic and pharmacological induction of HO-1, as well as non-toxic administration of CO, can reduce inflammatory diseases, such as endotoxic shock, type 1 diabetes and graft rejection. Recently, it was shown that the HO-1/CO system can alter the function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and reduce T-cell priming, which can be beneficial during immune-driven inflammatory diseases. The molecular mechanisms by which the HO-1 and CO reduce both APC- and T-cell-driven immunity are just beginning to be elucidated. In this article we discuss recent findings related to the immune regulatory capacity of HO-1 and CO at the level of recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns and T-cell priming by APCs. Finally, we propose a possible regulatory role for HO-1 and CO over the recently described mitochondria-dependent immunity. These concepts could contribute to the design of new therapeutic tools for inflammation-based diseases. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  12. Silencing ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase expression does not disrupt nitrogen allocation to defense after simulated herbivory in Nicotiana attenuata.

    PubMed

    Stanton, Mariana A; Ullmann-Zeunert, Lynn; Wielsch, Natalie; Bartram, Stefan; Svatoš, Aleš; Baldwin, Ian T; Groten, Karin

    2013-01-01

    Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase (RuBisCO) is the most abundant protein on the planet and in addition to its central role in photosynthesis it is thought to function as a nitrogen (N)-storage protein and a potential source of N for defense biosynthesis in plants. In a recent study in the wild tobacco Nicotiana attenuata, we showed that the decrease in absolute N invested in soluble proteins and RuBisCO elicited by simulated herbivory was much larger than the N-requirements of nicotine and phenolamide biosynthesis; (15)N flux studies revealed that N for defensive phenolamide synthesis originates from recently assimilated N rather than from RuBisCO turnover. Here we show that a transgenic line of N. attenuata silenced in the expression of RuBisCO (asRUB) invests similar or even larger amounts of N into phenolamide biosynthesis compared with wild type plants, consistent with our previous conclusion that recently assimilated N is channeled into phenolamide synthesis after elicitation. We suggest that the decrease in leaf proteins after simulated herbivory is a tolerance mechanism, rather than a consequence of N-demand for defense biosynthesis.

  13. Chemical and Physical Characterization of the Activation of Ribulosebiphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase

    DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

    Donnelly, M. I.; Ramakrishnan, V.; Hartman, F. C.

    1983-08-01

    Molecular structure of ribulosebiphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase isolated from Rhodospirillium was compared with the enzyme isolated from Alcaligens eutrophus. Peptides derived from the active center of the bacterial enzyme were highly homologous with those isolated from spinach. Molecular shapes of the carboxylases were estimated using neutron scattering data. These studies suggested that the enzyme as isolated from R. rubrum is a solid prolate ellipsoid or cylinder, while the spinach enzyme resembles a hollow sphere.

  14. The hmuQ and hmuD Genes from Bradyrhizobium japonicum Encode Heme-Degrading Enzymes

    PubMed Central

    Puri, Sumant; O'Brian, Mark R.

    2006-01-01

    Utilization of heme by bacteria as a nutritional iron source involves the transport of exogenous heme, followed by cleavage of the heme macrocycle to release iron. Bradyrhizobium japonicum can use heme as an iron source, but no heme-degrading oxygenase has been described. Here, bioinformatics analyses of the B. japonicum genome identified two paralogous genes renamed hmuQ (bll7075) and hmuD (bll7423) that encode proteins with weak similarity to the heme-degrading monooxygenase IsdG from Staphylococcus aureus. The hmuQ gene is clustered with known heme transport genes in the genome. Recombinant HmuQ bound heme with a Kd value of 0.8 μM and showed spectral properties consistent with a heme oxygenase. In the presence of a reductant, HmuQ catalyzed the degradation of heme and the formation of biliverdin. The hmuQ and hmuD genes complemented a Corynebacterium ulcerans heme oxygenase mutant in trans for utilization of heme as the sole iron source for growth. Furthermore, homologs of hmuQ and hmuD were identified in many bacterial genera, and the recombinant homolog from Brucella melitensis bound heme and catalyzed its degradation. The findings show that hmuQ and hmuD encode heme oxygenases and indicate that the IsdG family of heme-degrading monooxygenases is not restricted to gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. PMID:16952937

  15. Cytoprotective function of heme oxygenase 1 induced by a nitrated cyclic nucleotide formed during murine salmonellosis.

    PubMed

    Zaki, Mohammad Hasan; Fujii, Shigemoto; Okamoto, Tatsuya; Islam, Sabrina; Khan, Shahzada; Ahmed, Khandaker Ahtesham; Sawa, Tomohiro; Akaike, Takaaki

    2009-03-15

    Signaling mechanisms of NO-mediated host defense are yet to be elucidated. In this study, we report a unique signal pathway for cytoprotection during Salmonella infection that involves heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) induced by a nitrated cyclic nucleotide, 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-nitro-cGMP). Wild-type C57BL/6 mice and C57BL/6 mice lacking inducible NO synthase (iNOS) were infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2. HO-1 was markedly up-regulated during the infection, the level being significantly higher in wild-type mice than in iNOS-deficient mice. HO-1 up-regulation was associated with 8-nitro-cGMP formation detected immunohistochemically in Salmonella-infected mouse liver and peritoneal macrophages. 8-Nitro-cGMP either exogenously added or formed endogenously induced HO-1 in cultured macrophages infected with Salmonella. HO-1 inhibition by polyethylene glycol-conjugated zinc-protoporphyrin IX impaired intracellular killing of bacteria in mouse liver and in both RAW 264 cells and peritoneal macrophages. Infection-associated apoptosis was also markedly increased in polyethylene glycol-conjugated zinc-protoporphyrin IX-treated mouse liver cells and cultured macrophages. This effect of HO-1 inhibition was further confirmed by using HO-1 short interfering RNA in peritoneal macrophages. Our results suggest that HO-1 induced by NO-mediated 8-nitro-cGMP formation contributes, via its potent cytoprotective function, to host defense during murine salmonellosis.

  16. Celecoxib activates PI-3K/Akt and mitochondrial redox signaling to enhance heme oxygenase-1-mediated anti-inflammatory activity in vascular endothelium.

    PubMed

    Hamdulay, Shahir S; Wang, Bufei; Birdsey, Graeme M; Ali, Faisal; Dumont, Odile; Evans, Paul C; Haskard, Dorian O; Wheeler-Jones, Caroline P; Mason, Justin C

    2010-04-15

    Although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide important control of pain and inflammation, they have been overshadowed by concerns regarding atherothrombotic complications. However, celecoxib seems to have a relatively good cardiovascular profile and may improve endothelial function in coronary heart disease. This led us to the hypothesis that celecoxib induces the vasculoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). In human umbilical vein and aortic endothelial cells, 24-48 h treatment with celecoxib induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression and increased HO-1 enzyme activity. This effect was not seen with rofecoxib or indomethacin. Supplementation of culture medium with iloprost or prostaglandin E(2) failed to reverse celecoxib-mediated HO-1 induction, indicating a cyclooxygenase-independent mechanism. Rather, this action of celecoxib involved generation of mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species, Akt phosphorylation, and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor Nrf2, with N-acetylcysteine, PI-3K antagonist LY290042, and dominant-negative Akt abrogating the effects. Furthermore, celecoxib-induced HO-1 was inhibited by dominant-negative Nrf2. The functional significance of HO-1 induction was revealed by celecoxib-mediated inhibition of VCAM-1 expression, a response reversed by the HO-1 antagonist zinc protoporphyrin. HO-1 induction provides a molecular mechanism for clinical observations indicating relative freedom from atherothrombotic complications in patients taking celecoxib compared to other NSAIDs with comparable anti-inflammatory activity. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Comparison of the crystal structure and function to wild-type and His25Ala mutant human heme oxygenase-1.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Wen-Pu; Zhong, Wen-Wei; Zhang, Xue-Hong; Ding, Jian-Ping; Zhang, Zi-Li; Xia, Zhen-Wei

    2009-03-01

    Human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) is a rate-limiting enzyme in heme metabolism. It regulates serum bilirubin level. Site-directed mutagenesis studies indicate that the proximal residue histidine 25 (His25) plays a key role in hHO-1 activity. A highly purified hHO-1 His25Ala mutant was generated and crystallized with a new expression system. The crystal structure of the mutant was determined by X-ray diffraction technology and molecular replacement at the resolution of 2.8 A, and the model of hHO-1 His25Ala mutant was refined. The final crystallographic and free R factors were 0.245 and 0.283, respectively. The standard bond length deviation was 0.007 A, and the standard bond angle deviation was 1.3 degrees . The mutation of His25 to Ala led to an empty pocket underneath the ferric ion in the heme, leading to loss of binding iron ligand. Although this did not cause an overall structural change, the enzymatic activity of the mutant hHO-1 was reduced by 90%. By supplementing imidazole, the HO-1 activity was restored approximately 90% to its normal level. These data suggest that Ala25 remains unchanged in the structure compared to His25, but the important catalytic function of hHO-1 is lost. Thus, it appears that His25 is a crucial residue for proper hHO-1 catalysis.

  18. Characterization and Evolution of Anthranilate 1,2-Dioxygenase from Acinetobacter sp. Strain ADP1

    PubMed Central

    Eby, D. Matthew; Beharry, Zanna M.; Coulter, Eric D.; Kurtz, Donald M.; Neidle, Ellen L.

    2001-01-01

    The two-component anthranilate 1,2-dioxygenase of the bacterium Acinetobacter sp. strain ADP1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. This enzyme converts anthranilate (2-aminobenzoate) to catechol with insertion of both atoms of O2 and consumption of one NADH. The terminal oxygenase component formed an α3β3 hexamer of 54- and 19-kDa subunits. Biochemical analyses demonstrated one Rieske-type [2Fe-2S] center and one mononuclear nonheme iron center in each large oxygenase subunit. The reductase component, which transfers electrons from NADH to the oxygenase component, was found to contain approximately one flavin adenine dinucleotide and one ferredoxin-type [2Fe-2S] center per 39-kDa monomer. Activities of the combined components were measured as rates and quantities of NADH oxidation, substrate disappearance, product appearance, and O2 consumption. Anthranilate conversion to catechol was stoichiometrically coupled to NADH oxidation and O2 consumption. The substrate analog benzoate was converted to a nonaromatic benzoate 1,2-diol with similarly tight coupling. This latter activity is identical to that of the related benzoate 1,2-dioxygenase. A variant anthranilate 1,2-dioxygenase, previously found to convey temperature sensitivity in vivo because of a methionine-to-lysine change in the large oxygenase subunit, was purified and characterized. The purified M43K variant, however, did not hydroxylate anthranilate or benzoate at either the permissive (23°C) or nonpermissive (39°C) growth temperatures. The wild-type anthranilate 1,2-dioxygenase did not efficiently hydroxylate methylated or halogenated benzoates, despite its sequence similarity to broad-substrate specific dioxygenases that do. Phylogenetic trees of the α and β subunits of these terminal dioxygenases that act on natural and xenobiotic substrates indicated that the subunits of each terminal oxygenase evolved from a common ancestral two-subunit component. PMID:11114907

  19. Structure of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 heme oxygenase ChuS in complex with heme and enzymatic inactivation by mutation of the heme coordinating residue His-193

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

    Suits,M.; Jaffer, N.; Jia, Z.

    2006-01-01

    Heme oxygenases catalyze the oxidation of heme to biliverdin, CO, and free iron. For pathogenic microorganisms, heme uptake and degradation are critical mechanisms for iron acquisition that enable multiplication and survival within hosts they invade. Here we report the first crystal structure of the pathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 heme oxygenase ChuS in complex with heme at 1.45 {angstrom} resolution. When compared with other heme oxygenases, ChuS has a unique fold, including structural repeats and a {beta}-sheet core. Not surprisingly, the mode of heme coordination by ChuS is also distinct, whereby heme is largely stabilized by residues from the C-terminal domain,more » assisted by a distant arginine from the N-terminal domain. Upon heme binding, there is no large conformational change beyond the fine tuning of a key histidine (His-193) residue. Most intriguingly, in contrast to other heme oxygenases, the propionic side chains of heme are orientated toward the protein core, exposing the {alpha}-meso carbon position where O{sub 2} is added during heme degradation. This unique orientation may facilitate presentation to an electron donor, explaining the significantly reduced concentration of ascorbic acid needed for the reaction. Based on the ChuS-heme structure, we converted the histidine residue responsible for axial coordination of the heme group to an asparagine residue (H193N), as well as converting a second histidine to an alanine residue (H73A) for comparison purposes. We employed spectral analysis and CO measurement by gas chromatography to analyze catalysis by ChuS, H193N, and H73A, demonstrating that His-193 is the key residue for the heme-degrading activity of ChuS.« less

  20. Functions, Compositions, and Evolution of the Two Types of Carboxysomes: Polyhedral Microcompartments That Facilitate CO2 Fixation in Cyanobacteria and Some Proteobacteria

    PubMed Central

    Rae, Benjamin D.; Long, Benedict M.; Badger, Murray R.

    2013-01-01

    SUMMARY Cyanobacteria are the globally dominant photoautotrophic lineage. Their success is dependent on a set of adaptations collectively termed the CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM). The purpose of the CCM is to support effective CO2 fixation by enhancing the chemical conditions in the vicinity of the primary CO2-fixing enzyme, d-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO), to promote the carboxylase reaction and suppress the oxygenase reaction. In cyanobacteria and some proteobacteria, this is achieved by encapsulation of RubisCO within carboxysomes, which are examples of a group of proteinaceous bodies called bacterial microcompartments. Carboxysomes encapsulate the CO2-fixing enzyme within the selectively permeable protein shell and simultaneously encapsulate a carbonic anhydrase enzyme for CO2 supply from a cytoplasmic bicarbonate pool. These bodies appear to have arisen twice and undergone a process of convergent evolution. While the gross structures of all known carboxysomes are ostensibly very similar, with shared gross features such as a selectively permeable shell layer, each type of carboxysome encapsulates a phyletically distinct form of RubisCO enzyme. Furthermore, the specific proteins forming structures such as the protein shell or the inner RubisCO matrix are not identical between carboxysome types. Each type has evolutionarily distinct forms of the same proteins, as well as proteins that are entirely unrelated to one another. In light of recent developments in the study of carboxysome structure and function, we present this review to summarize the knowledge of the structure and function of both types of carboxysome. We also endeavor to cast light on differing evolutionary trajectories which may have led to the differences observed in extant carboxysomes. PMID:24006469

  1. Actin Family Proteins in the Human INO80 Chromatin Remodeling Complex Exhibit Functional Roles in the Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1 with Hemin.

    PubMed

    Takahashi, Yuichiro; Murakami, Hirokazu; Akiyama, Yusuke; Katoh, Yasutake; Oma, Yukako; Nishijima, Hitoshi; Shibahara, Kei-Ichi; Igarashi, Kazuhiko; Harata, Masahiko

    2017-01-01

    Nuclear actin family proteins, comprising of actin and actin-related proteins (Arps), are essential functional components of the multiple chromatin remodeling complexes. The INO80 chromatin remodeling complex, which is evolutionarily conserved and has roles in transcription, DNA replication and repair, consists of actin and actin-related proteins Arp4, Arp5, and Arp8. We generated Arp5 knockout (KO) and Arp8 KO cells from the human Nalm-6 pre-B cell line and used these KO cells to examine the roles of Arp5 and Arp8 in the transcriptional regulation mediated by the INO80 complex. In both of Arp5 KO and Arp8 KO cells, the oxidative stress-induced expression of HMOX1 gene, encoding for heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), was significantly impaired. Consistent with these observations, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay revealed that oxidative stress caused an increase in the binding of the INO80 complex to the regulatory sites of HMOX1 in wild-type cells. The binding of INO80 complex to chromatin was reduced in Arp8 KO cells compared to that in the wild-type cells. On the other hand, the binding of INO80 complex to chromatin in Arp5 KO cells was similar to that in the wild-type cells even under the oxidative stress condition. However, both remodeling of chromatin at the HMOX1 regulatory sites and binding of a transcriptional activator to these sites were impaired in Arp5 KO cells, indicating that Arp5 is required for the activation of the INO80 complex. Collectively, these results suggested that these nuclear Arps play indispensable roles in the function of the INO80 chromatin remodeling complex.

  2. Effect of heme oxygenase-1 on the protection of ischemia reperfusion injury of bile duct in rats after liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Zhan, Xi; Zhang, Zhiqing; Huang, Hanfei; Zhang, Yujun; Zeng, Zhong

    2018-06-01

    To investigate the effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on the ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI) of bile duct in rat models after liver transplantation. 320 SD rats were equally and randomly divided into 5 groups, which were group A receiving injection of 3×10 8 /pfu/ml adenovirus (adv), group B with donor receiving Adv-HO-1 and recipient receiving Adv-HO-1-siRNA, group C with donor and recipient both receiving Adv-HO-1, group D with donor receiving Adv-HO-1-siRNA and recipient receiving Adv-HO-1, and group E with donor and recipient both receiving Adv-HO-1-siRNA at 24h before liver transplantation. Donor liver was stored in UW liquid at 4°C followed by measuring HO-1 level by western blot before transplantation. On d1, d3, d7 and d14, serum and liver was isolated for analysis of liver function, inflammatory cell infiltration by H&E staining, ultrastructure of liver by transmission electron microscopy as well as the expression of HO-1, Bsep, Mrp2 and Ntcp by western blot. Compared with group D and E, group B and C displayed improved liver function as demonstrated by lower level of ALT, AST, LDH, TBIL, ALP and GGT, increased secretion of TBA and PL as well as expression of transporter proteins (Bsep, Mrp2 and Ntcp), reduced inflammatory cells infiltration and liver injury. Our study demonstrated that overexpression of HO-1 in donor liver can ameliorate the damage to bile duct and liver, and improved liver function, suggesting HO-1 might be a new therapeutic target in the treatment of IRI after liver transplantation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  3. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibits postmyocardial infarct remodeling and restores ventricular function.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xiaoli; Pachori, Alok S; Ward, Christopher A; Davis, J Paul; Gnecchi, Massimiliano; Kong, Deling; Zhang, Lunan; Murduck, Jared; Yet, Shaw-Fang; Perrella, Mark A; Pratt, Richard E; Dzau, Victor J; Melo, Luis G

    2006-02-01

    We reported previously that predelivery of the anti-oxidant gene heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) to the heart by adeno associated virus (AAV) markedly reduces injury after acute myocardial infarction (MI). However, the effect of HO-1 gene delivery on postinfarction recovery has not been investigated. In the current study, we assessed the effect of HO-1 gene delivery on post-MI left ventricle (LV) remodeling and function using echocardiographic imaging and histomorphometric approaches. Two groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with 4 x 10(11) particles of AAV-LacZ (control) or AAV-hHO-1 in the LV wall. Eight wk after gene transfer, the animals were subjected to 30 min of ischemia by ligation of left anterior descending artery (LAD) followed by reperfusion. Echocardiographic measurements were obtained in a blinded fashion prior and at 1.5 and 3 months after I/R. Ejection fraction (EF) was reduced by 13% and 40% in the HO-1 and LacZ groups, respectively at 1.5 months after MI. Three months after MI, EF recovered fully in the HO-1, but only partially in the LacZ-treated animals. Post-MI LV dimensions were markedly increased and the anterior wall was markedly thinned in the LacZ-treated animals compared with the HO-1-treated animals. Significant myocardial scarring and fibrosis were observed in the LacZ-group in association with elevated levels of interstitial collagen I and III and MMP-2 activity. Post-MI myofibroblast accumulation was reduced in the HO-1-treated animals, and retroviral overexpression of HO-1 reduced proliferation of isolated cardiac fibroblasts. Our data indicate that rAAV-HO-1 gene transfer markedly reduces fibrosis and ventricular remodeling and restores LV function and chamber dimensions after myocardial infarction.

  4. A vigilant, hypoxia-regulated heme oxygenase-1 gene vector in the heart limits cardiac injury after ischemia-reperfusion in vivo.

    PubMed

    Tang, Yao Liang; Qian, Keping; Zhang, Y Clare; Shen, Leping; Phillips, M Ian

    2005-12-01

    The effect of a cardiac specific, hypoxia-regulated, human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) vector to provide cardioprotection from ischemia-reperfusion injury was assessed. When myocardial ischemia and reperfusion is asymptomatic, the damaging effects are cumulative and patients miss timely treatment. A gene therapy approach that expresses therapeutic genes only when ischemia is experienced is a desirable strategy. We have developed a cardiac-specific, hypoxia-regulated gene therapy "vigilant vector'' system that amplifies cardioprotective gene expression. Vigilant hHO-1 plasmids, LacZ plasmids, or saline (n = 40 per group) were injected into mouse heart 2 days in advance of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Animals were exposed to 60 minutes of ischemia followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. For that term (24 hours) effects, the protein levels of HO-1, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, and infarct size were determined. For long-term (3 week) effects, the left ventricular remodeling and recovery of cardiac function were assessed. Ischemia-reperfusion resulted in a timely overexpression of HO-1 protein. Infarct size at 24 hours after ischemia-reperfusion was significantly reduced in the HO-1-treated animals compared with the LacZ-treated group or saline-treated group (P < .001). The reduction of infarct size was accompanied by a decrease in lipid peroxidant activity, inflammatory cell infiltration, and proapoptotic protein level in ischemia-reperfusion-injured myocardium. The long-term study demonstrated that timely, hypoxia-induced HO-1 overexpression is beneficial in conserving cardiac function and attenuating left ventricle remodelling. The vigilant HO-1 vector provides a protective therapy in the heart for reducing cellular damage during ischemia-reperfusion injury and preserving heart function.

  5. Mixed-function oxygenases, oxidative stress, and chromosomal damage measured in lesser scaup wintering on the Indiana Harbor Canal

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Custer, T.W.; Custer, Christine M.; Hines, R.K.; Sparks, D.W.; Melancon, M.J.; Hoffman, D.J.; Bickham, J.W.; Wickliffe, J.K.

    2000-01-01

    During the winter of 1993-1994, male lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) were collected on the heavily polluted Indiana Harbor Canal, East Chicago, Indiana, and examined for several bioindicators of chemical exposure. Livers were analyzed for activities of three cytochrome P450-associated monooxygenases and four measures of oxidative stress. Blood and spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry for chromosomal damage. In a concurrent study, scaup tissues were analyzed for organic and inorganic contaminants. Ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (EROD) activity in livers of scaup collected in January 1994 was significantly higher than in livers of scaup collected in March 1994 or in livers of reference birds. Three hepatic monooxygenase activities were each significantly correlated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in scaup carcasses. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) activity in scaup livers was positively correlated with iron, boron, and lead concentrations in livers and polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in carcasses. TBA activity was negatively correlated with protein-bound thiol activity and mercury concentrations in livers. The coefficient of variation of DNA content in scaup blood cells was correlated with PAH concentrations in scaup carcasses. This is the first field study with birds to demonstrate a correlation between liver monooxygenase activity and carcass PAH concentrations and to show a direct correlation between PAH concentrations in tissues and somatic chromosomal damage in blood.

  6. Mixed-function oxygenases, oxidative stress, and chromosomal damage measured in lesser scaup wintering on the Indiana Harbor Canal

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Custer, T.W.; Custer, Christine M.; Hines, R.K.; Sparks, D.W.; Melancon, M.J.; Hoffman, D.J.; Bickham, J.W.; Wickliffe, J.K.

    2000-01-01

    During the winter of 1993-1994, male lesser scaup (Aythya alfinis) were collected on the heavily polluted Indiana Harbor Canal, East Chicago, Indiana, and examined for several bioindicators of chemical exposure. Livers were analyzed for activities of three cytochrome P450-associated monooxygenases and four measures of oxidative stress. Blood and spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry for chromosomal damage. In a concurrent study, scaup tissues were analyzed for organic and inorganic contaminants. Ethoxyresomfm-O-dealkylase (EROD) activity in livers of scaup collected in January 1994 was significantly higher than in livers of scaup collected in March 1994 or in livers of reference birds. Three hepatic monooxygenase activities were each significantly correlated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in scaup carcasses. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) activity in scaup livers was positively correlated with iron, boron, and lead concentrations in livers and polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in carcasses. TBA activity was negatively correlated with protein-bound thiol activity and mercury concentrations in livers. The coefficient of variation of DNA content in scaup blood cells was correlated with PAH concentrations in scaup carcasses. This is the first field study with birds to demonstrate a correlation between liver monooxygenase activity and carcass PAH concentrations and to show a direct correlation between PAH concentrations in tissues and somatic chromosomal damage in blood.

  7. Heme oxygenase-1 protects INF-gamma primed endothelial cells from Jurkat T-cell adhesion.

    PubMed

    Du, D; Chang, S; Chen, B; Zhou, H; Chen, Z K

    2007-12-01

    The heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) system is associated with the rate-limiting step of conversion of heme, one of the most critical roles in cytoprotective mechanisms. Our study investigated its potential role in protection of endothelial cells from T cells. The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3-HO-1 was transfected into endothelial cells. Indirect fluorescent staining was used to examine the expression of HO-1 protein. Then endothelial cells primed by INF-gamma were mixed in culture with Jurkat T cells labeled with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE). The number of adhesive Jurkat T cells was determined using FACS to evaluate the adhesion effect. After being cultured with endothelial cells, the cell cycle of Jurkat T cells was detected using FACS. Expression of HO-1 on endothelial cells conferred significant protection against Jurkat T-cell-mediated adhesion. The rate of Jurkat T-cell adhesions was reduced to 19.06%, in contrast with 31.42% in the control group (P<.05). After using ZnPP, an inhibitor of HO-1, the rate of Jurkat T-cell adhesion recovered to 29.08%. The binding activities between endothelial cells and Jurkat T cells was blocked by HO-1 expression. The proliferation of Jurkat T cells was inhibited after culture with endothelial cells, which had been transfected with HO-1, which blocked cell cycle entry of T cells. More than 60% of Jurkat T cells remained in G0/G1 compared with 40% among the control group. HO-1 directly protected endothelial cells primed by INF-gamma from Jurkat T cells and down-regulated the expression of HLA-DR on the surface of endothelial cells. These results indicated that transgenic expression of HO-1 may be useful to prevent lymphocytes from responding to endothelial cells.

  8. Tyrosine oxidation in heme oxygenase: examination of long-range proton-coupled electron transfer.

    PubMed

    Smirnov, Valeriy V; Roth, Justine P

    2014-10-01

    Heme oxygenase is responsible for the degradation of a histidine-ligated ferric protoporphyrin IX (Por) to biliverdin, CO, and the free ferrous ion. Described here are studies of tyrosyl radical formation reactions that occur after oxidizing Fe(III)(Por) to Fe(IV)=O(Por(·+)) in human heme oxygenase isoform-1 (hHO-1) and the structurally homologous protein from Corynebacterium diphtheriae (cdHO). Site-directed mutagenesis on hHO-1 probes the reduction of Fe(IV)=O(Por(·+)) by tyrosine residues within 11 Å of the prosthetic group. In hHO-1, Y58· is implicated as the most likely site of oxidation, based on the pH and pD dependent kinetics. The absence of solvent deuterium isotope effects in basic solutions of hHO-1 and cdHO contrasts with the behavior of these proteins in the acidic solution, suggesting that long-range proton-coupled electron transfer predominates over electron transfer.

  9. PGL, encoding chlorophyllide a oxygenase 1, impacts leaf senescence and indirectly affects grain yield and quality in rice.

    PubMed

    Yang, Yaolong; Xu, Jie; Huang, Lichao; Leng, Yujia; Dai, Liping; Rao, Yuchun; Chen, Long; Wang, Yuqiong; Tu, Zhengjun; Hu, Jiang; Ren, Deyong; Zhang, Guangheng; Zhu, Li; Guo, Longbiao; Qian, Qian; Zeng, Dali

    2016-03-01

    Chlorophyll (Chl) b is a ubiquitous accessory pigment in land plants, green algae, and prochlorophytes. This pigment is synthesized from Chl a by chlorophyllide a oxygenase and plays a key role in adaptation to various environments. This study characterizes a rice mutant, pale green leaf (pgl), and isolates the gene PGL by using a map-based cloning approach. PGL, encoding chlorophyllide a oxygenase 1, is mainly expressed in the chlorenchyma and activated in the light-dependent Chl synthesis process. Compared with wild-type plants, pgl exhibits a lower Chl content with a reduced and disorderly thylakoid ultrastructure, which decreases the photosynthesis rate and results in reduced grain yield and quality. In addition, pgl exhibits premature senescence in both natural and dark-induced conditions and more severe Chl degradation and reactive oxygen species accumulation than does the wild-type. Moreover, pgl is sensitive to heat stress. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

  10. Multiphoton fluorescence spectra and lifetimes of biliverdins and their protein-associated complex

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Chin-Jie; Wu, Cheng-Ham; Liu, Tzu-Ming

    2012-03-01

    To investigate whether endogenous biliverdins can serve as a fluorescence metabolic marker in cancer diagnosis, we measured their multiphoton fluorescence spectra and lifetimes with femtosecond Cr:forsterite laser. Excited at 1230nm, the two-photon fluorescence of biliverdins peaks around 670nm. The corresponding lifetime (<100ps) was much shorter than those of porphyrins (~10ns), which is another commonly present metabolites in living cells. Further mixing biliverdins with proteins like fetal bovine serum (FBS), biliverdins reductase A (BVRA), or heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the yields of red autofluorescences didn't change a lot, but the corresponding lifetimes with HO-1 and BSA were lengthened to 200~300ps. This indicates that biliverdin can have an association with these proteins and change its lifetime. These spectral and temporal characteristics of fluorescence make biliverdin a potential marker fluorophore for hyperspectral diagnosis on the heme catabolism in human cells or tissues.

  11. Rubber Oxygenase and Latex Clearing Protein Cleave Rubber to Different Products and Use Different Cleavage Mechanisms

    PubMed Central

    Birke, Jakob

    2014-01-01

    Two types of enzyme for oxidative cleavage of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) are known. One is rubber oxygenase (RoxA) that is secreted by Xanthomonas sp. strain 35Y and a few other Gram-negative rubber-degrading bacteria during growth on polyisoprene. RoxA was studied in the past, and the recently solved structure showed a structural relationship to bacterial cytochrome c peroxidases (J. Seidel et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 110:13833–13838, 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1305560110). The other enzyme is latex-clearing protein (Lcp) that is secreted by rubber-degrading actinomycetes, but Lcp has not yet been purified. Here, we expressed Lcp of Streptomyces sp. strain K30 in a ΔroxA background of Xanthomonas sp. strain 35Y and purified native (untagged) Lcp. The specific activities of Lcp and RoxA were 0.70 and 0.48 U/mg, respectively. Lcp differed from RoxA in the absence of heme groups and other characteristics. Notably, Lcp degraded polyisoprene via endo-type cleavage to tetra-C20 and higher oligo-isoprenoids with aldehyde and keto end groups, whereas RoxA used an exo-type cleavage mechanism to give the main end product 12-oxo-4,8-dimethyltrideca-4,8-diene-1-al (ODTD). RoxA was able to cleave isolated Lcp-derived oligo-isoprenoid molecules to ODTD. Inhibitor studies, spectroscopic investigations and metal analysis gave no indication for the presence of iron, other metals, or cofactors in Lcp. Our results suggest that Lcp could be a member of the growing group of cofactor-independent oxygenases and differs in the cleavage mechanism from heme-dependent RoxA. In conclusion, RoxA and Lcp represent two different answers to the same biochemical problem, the cleavage of polyisoprene, a polymer that has carbon-carbon double bonds as the only functional groups for enzymatic attack. PMID:24907333

  12. Architecture of the nitric-oxide synthase holoenzyme reveals large conformational changes and a calmodulin-driven release of the FMN domain.

    PubMed

    Yokom, Adam L; Morishima, Yoshihiro; Lau, Miranda; Su, Min; Glukhova, Alisa; Osawa, Yoichi; Southworth, Daniel R

    2014-06-13

    Nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) is required in mammals to generate NO for regulating blood pressure, synaptic response, and immune defense. NOS is a large homodimer with well characterized reductase and oxygenase domains that coordinate a multistep, interdomain electron transfer mechanism to oxidize l-arginine and generate NO. Ca(2+)-calmodulin (CaM) binds between the reductase and oxygenase domains to activate NO synthesis. Although NOS has long been proposed to adopt distinct conformations that alternate between interflavin and FMN-heme electron transfer steps, structures of the holoenzyme have remained elusive and the CaM-bound arrangement is unknown. Here we have applied single particle electron microscopy (EM) methods to characterize the full-length of the neuronal isoform (nNOS) complex and determine the structural mechanism of CaM activation. We have identified that nNOS adopts an ensemble of open and closed conformational states and that CaM binding induces a dramatic rearrangement of the reductase domain. Our three-dimensional reconstruction of the intact nNOS-CaM complex reveals a closed conformation and a cross-monomer arrangement with the FMN domain rotated away from the NADPH-FAD center, toward the oxygenase dimer. This work captures, for the first time, the reductase-oxygenase structural arrangement and the CaM-dependent release of the FMN domain that coordinates to drive electron transfer across the domains during catalysis. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  13. Expression and characterization of truncated human heme oxygenase (hHO-1) and a fusion protein of hHO-1 with human cytochrome P450 reductase.

    PubMed

    Wilks, A; Black, S M; Miller, W L; Ortiz de Montellano, P R

    1995-04-04

    A human heme oxygenase (hHO-1) gene without the sequence coding for the last 23 amino acids has been expressed in Escherichia coli behind the pho A promoter. The truncated enzyme is obtained in high yields as a soluble, catalytically-active protein, making it available for the first time for detailed mechanistic studies. The purified, truncated hHO-1/heme complex is spectroscopically indistinguishable from that of the rat enzyme and converts heme to biliverdin when reconstituted with rat liver cytochrome P450 reductase. A self-sufficient heme oxygenase system has been obtained by fusing the truncated hHO-1 gene to the gene for human cytochrome P450 reductase without the sequence coding for the 20 amino acid membrane binding domain. Expression of the fusion protein in pCWori+ yields a protein that only requires NADPH for catalytic turnover. The failure of exogenous cytochrome P450 reductase to stimulate turnover and the insensitivity of the catalytic rate toward changes in ionic strength establish that electrons are transferred intramolecularly between the reductase and heme oxygenase domains of the fusion protein. The Vmax for the fusion protein is 2.5 times higher than that for the reconstituted system. Therefore, either the covalent tether does not interfere with normal docking and electron transfer between the flavin and heme domains or alternative but equally efficient electron transfer pathways are available that do not require specific docking.

  14. Ozone exposure, antioxidant genes, and lung function in an elderly cohort: VA Normative Aging Study

    PubMed Central

    Alexeeff, Stacey E.; Litonjua, Augusto A.; Wright, Robert O.; Baccarelli, Andrea; Suh, Helen; Sparrow, David; Vokonas, Pantel S.; Schwartz, Joel

    2008-01-01

    Background Ozone exposure is known to cause oxidative stress. We investigated the acute effects of ozone (O3) on lung function in the elderly, a suspected risk group. We then investigated whether genetic polymorphisms of antioxidant genes (heme oxygenase-1 [HMOX1] and glutathione S-transferase pi [GSTP1]) modified these associations. Methods We studied 1,100 elderly men from the Normative Aging Study whose lung function (forced vital capacity [FVC] and forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]) was measured every 3 years from 1995–2005. We genotyped the GSTP1 Ile105Val and Ala114Val polymorphisms and the (GT)n repeat polymorphism in the HMOX1 promoter, classifying repeats as short (n<25) or long (n 25). Ambient O3 was measured continuously at locations in the Greater Boston area. We used mixed linear models, adjusting for known confounders. Results A 15 ppb increase in O3 during the previous 48 hours was associated with a 1.25% decrease in FEV1 (95% CI: −1.96%, −0.54%). This estimated effect was worsened with either the presence of a long (GT)n repeat in HMOX1 (−1.38%, 95% CI: −2.11%, −0.65) or the presence of an allele coding for Val105 in GSTP1 (−1.69%, 95% CI: −2.63%, −0.75). A stronger estimated effect of O3 on FEV1 was found in subjects carrying both the GSTP1 105Val variant and the HMOX1 long (GT)n repeat (−1.94%, 95% CI: −2.89%, −0.98%). Similar associations were also found between FVC and ozone exposure. Conclusions Our results suggest that ozone has an acute effect on lung function in the elderly, and the effects may be modified by the presence of specific polymorphisms in antioxidant genes. PMID:18524839

  15. Origin and Evolution of Retinoid Isomerization Machinery in Vertebrate Visual Cycle: Hint from Jawless Vertebrates

    PubMed Central

    Stearn, Olivia; Li, Yan; Campos, Maria Mercedes; Gentleman, Susan; Rogozin, Igor B.; Redmond, T. Michael

    2012-01-01

    In order to maintain visual sensitivity at all light levels, the vertebrate eye possesses a mechanism to regenerate the visual pigment chromophore 11-cis retinal in the dark enzymatically, unlike in all other taxa, which rely on photoisomerization. This mechanism is termed the visual cycle and is localized to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a support layer of the neural retina. Speculation has long revolved around whether more primitive chordates, such as tunicates and cephalochordates, anticipated this feature. The two key enzymes of the visual cycle are RPE65, the visual cycle all-trans retinyl ester isomerohydrolase, and lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT), which generates RPE65’s substrate. We hypothesized that the origin of the vertebrate visual cycle is directly connected to an ancestral carotenoid oxygenase acquiring a new retinyl ester isomerohydrolase function. Our phylogenetic analyses of the RPE65/BCMO and N1pC/P60 (LRAT) superfamilies show that neither RPE65 nor LRAT orthologs occur in tunicates (Ciona) or cephalochordates (Branchiostoma), but occur in Petromyzon marinus (Sea Lamprey), a jawless vertebrate. The closest homologs to RPE65 in Ciona and Branchiostoma lacked predicted functionally diverged residues found in all authentic RPE65s, but lamprey RPE65 contained all of them. We cloned RPE65 and LRATb cDNAs from lamprey RPE and demonstrated appropriate enzymatic activities. We show that Ciona ß-carotene monooxygenase a (BCMOa) (previously annotated as an RPE65) has carotenoid oxygenase cleavage activity but not RPE65 activity. We verified the presence of RPE65 in lamprey RPE by immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoblot and mass spectrometry. On the basis of these data we conclude that the crucial transition from the typical carotenoid double bond cleavage functionality (BCMO) to the isomerohydrolase functionality (RPE65), coupled with the origin of LRAT, occurred subsequent to divergence of the more primitive chordates (tunicates, etc.) in the last common ancestor of the jawless and jawed vertebrates. PMID:23209628

  16. Renal Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction with Hemin Augments Renal Hemodynamics, Renal Autoregulation, and Excretory Function

    PubMed Central

    Botros, Fady T.; Dobrowolski, Leszek; Navar, L. Gabriel

    2012-01-01

    Heme oxygenases (HO-1; HO-2) catalyze conversion of heme to free iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin/bilirubin. To determine the effects of renal HO-1 induction on blood pressure and renal function, normal control rats (n = 7) and hemin-treated rats (n = 6) were studied. Renal clearance studies were performed on anesthetized rats to assess renal function; renal blood flow (RBF) was measured using a transonic flow probe placed around the left renal artery. Hemin treatment significantly induced renal HO-1. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were not different (115 ± 5 mmHg versus 112 ± 4 mmHg and 331 ± 16 versus 346 ± 10 bpm). However, RBF was significantly higher (9.1 ± 0.8 versus 7.0 ± 0.5 mL/min/g, P < 0.05), and renal vascular resistance was significantly lower (13.0 ± 0.9 versus 16.6 ± 1.4 [mmHg/(mL/min/g)], P < 0.05). Likewise, glomerular filtration rate was significantly elevated (1.4 ± 0.2 versus 1.0 ± 0.1 mL/min/g, P < 0.05), and urine flow and sodium excretion were also higher (18.9 ± 3.9 versus 8.2 ± 1.0 μL/min/g, P < 0.05 and 1.9 ± 0.6 versus 0.2 ± 0.1 μmol/min/g, P < 0.05, resp.). The plateau of the autoregulation relationship was elevated, and renal vascular responses to acute angiotensin II infusion were attenuated in hemin-treated rats reflecting the vasodilatory effect of HO-1 induction. We conclude that renal HO-1 induction augments renal function which may contribute to the antihypertensive effects of HO-1 induction observed in hypertension models. PMID:22518281

  17. Low heme oxygenase-1 levels in patients with systemic sclerosis are associated with an altered Toll-like receptor response: another role for CXCL4?

    PubMed

    van Bon, Lenny; Cossu, Marta; Scharstuhl, Alwin; Pennings, Bas W C; Vonk, Madelon C; Vreman, Hendrik J; Lafyatis, Robert L; van den Berg, Wim; Wagener, Frank A D T G; Radstake, Timothy R D J

    2016-11-01

    SSc is a disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a haem-degrading enzyme that mediates resolution of inflammation and is induced upon mediators abundantly present in SSc. We aimed to assess whether HO-1 expression/function is disturbed in SSc patients and could therefore be contributing to the ongoing inflammation. In total, 92 SSc patients and 48 healthy controls were included. By measuring total bilirubin in plasma in vivo, HO-activity was assessed. HO-1 expression levels were determined with western blot in monocytes before and after induction of HO-1 with cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) with or without CXCL4. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) were stimulated with several Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands with or without pre-stimulation with CoPP for 24 h. Cytokine levels were measured in the supernatants using the Luminex Bead Array. SSc patients have lower plasma levels of bilirubin, suggestive of an aberrant HO-1 function. We demonstrated low HO-1 expression in immune cells from SSc patients, whereas induction with CoPP was able to restore HO-1 levels in DCs from SSc patients, almost normalizing the increased TLR response observed in SSc. Co-exposure to CXCL4 completely abrogated CoPP-induced HO-1 expression, suggesting that the high CXCL4 levels present in SSc patients block the normal induction of HO-1 and its function. We demonstrate that HO activity in SSc patients is decreased and show its functional consequences. Since CXCL4 blocks the induction of HO-1 expression, neutralization of CXCL4 in SSc patients could have clinical benefits by diminishing overactivation of immune cells and other anti-inflammatory effects of HO-1. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  18. Expression and functional characterization of a C-7 cholesterol desaturase from Tetrahymena thermophila in an insect cell line.

    PubMed

    Poklepovich, Tomas J; Urtasun, Nicolás; Miranda, María V; Nusblat, Alejandro D; Nudel, Clara B

    2015-04-01

    Tetrahymena thermophila transforms exogenous cholesterol into pro-vitamin D3 (7-dehydrocholesterol) with remarkable efficiency in a one-step reaction carried out by a C-7 cholesterol desaturase. The enzyme DES7 is encoded by the gene TTHERM_00310640, identified with RNAi and gene knock-out experiments, but has not yet been heterologously expressed actively in any organism. A model derived from its amino acid sequence classified DES7p as a Rieske-type oxygenase with transmembrane localization. The protein has catalytic activity, sequence and topological similarity to DAF-36/Neverland proteins involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones in insects and nematodes. Due to their structural and functional similarity, we analyzed the expression of a codon optimized DES7 gene from Tetrahymena in the insect Sf9 cell line, identified and measured the steroid metabolites formed, and extended the actual knowledge on its localization. We found that the accumulation of 7-dehydrocholesterol could be increased 16-40-fold in Spodopterafrugiperda, depending on physiological conditions, by overexpression of T. thermophila DES7. The protein was detected in the microsomal fraction, in accordance with previous reports. Although the electron transfer chain for Des7p/DAF-36/Neverland Rieske-type oxygenases is presently unknown, we identified possible donors in the ciliate and insect genomes by bioinformatic analysis. In spite of the large evolutionary distance between S. frugiperda and T. thermophila, the results indicate that there is significant functional conservation of the electron donors, since the ciliate's sterol desaturase can function in the context of the insect electron transport system. The results achieved demonstrate that DES7 is the first gene from a ciliate, coding for a microsomal enzyme, expressed in active form in an insect cell line. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Mitochondrial β-Carotene 9',10' Oxygenase Modulates Prostate Cancer Growth via NF-κB Inhibition: A Lycopene-Independent Function.

    PubMed

    Gong, Xiaoming; Marisiddaiah, Raju; Zaripheh, Susan; Wiener, Doris; Rubin, Lewis P

    2016-10-01

    Despite numerous inquiries into protective roles of lycopene in prostate cancer prevention or therapy, little is known about mechanisms by which lycopene or its metabolites inhibit prostate cancer. The enzyme β-carotene 9',10'-oxygenase (BCO2), which catalyzes asymmetric cleavage of several carotenoids, is the principal regulator of lycopene metabolism, but the range of BCO2 biological functions is incompletely understood. This study investigated expression and functional roles of BCO2 in human prostate cancer. Expression of the bco2 gene is dramatically decreased in prostate cancer tissue and in a range of prostate cancer cell lines as compared with nonneoplastic prostate tissue and normal prostatic epithelial cells, respectively. Inhibition of DNA methyltransferase activity restored bco2 expression in prostate cancer cell lines tested. Treatment with lycopene or its metabolite, apo-10-lycopenal, also increased bco2 expression and reduced cell proliferation in androgen-sensitive cell lines, but lycopene neither altered bco2 expression nor cell growth in androgen-resistant cells. Notably, restoring bco2 expression in prostate cancer cells inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation, irrespective of lycopene exposure. Exogenous expression of either wild-type BCO2 or a mutant (enzymatically inactive) BCO2 in prostate cancer cells reduced NF-κB activity and decreased NF-κB nuclear translocation and DNA binding. Together, these results indicate epigenetic loss of BCO2 expression is associated with prostate cancer progression. Moreover, these findings describe previously unanticipated functions of BCO2 that are independent of its enzymatic role in lycopene metabolism. This study identifies BCO2 as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer. BCO2-mediated inhibition of NF-κB signaling implies BCO2 status is important in prostate cancer progression. Mol Cancer Res; 14(10); 966-75. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

  20. Origin and evolution of retinoid isomerization machinery in vertebrate visual cycle: hint from jawless vertebrates.

    PubMed

    Poliakov, Eugenia; Gubin, Alexander N; Stearn, Olivia; Li, Yan; Campos, Maria Mercedes; Gentleman, Susan; Rogozin, Igor B; Redmond, T Michael

    2012-01-01

    In order to maintain visual sensitivity at all light levels, the vertebrate eye possesses a mechanism to regenerate the visual pigment chromophore 11-cis retinal in the dark enzymatically, unlike in all other taxa, which rely on photoisomerization. This mechanism is termed the visual cycle and is localized to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a support layer of the neural retina. Speculation has long revolved around whether more primitive chordates, such as tunicates and cephalochordates, anticipated this feature. The two key enzymes of the visual cycle are RPE65, the visual cycle all-trans retinyl ester isomerohydrolase, and lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT), which generates RPE65's substrate. We hypothesized that the origin of the vertebrate visual cycle is directly connected to an ancestral carotenoid oxygenase acquiring a new retinyl ester isomerohydrolase function. Our phylogenetic analyses of the RPE65/BCMO and N1pC/P60 (LRAT) superfamilies show that neither RPE65 nor LRAT orthologs occur in tunicates (Ciona) or cephalochordates (Branchiostoma), but occur in Petromyzon marinus (Sea Lamprey), a jawless vertebrate. The closest homologs to RPE65 in Ciona and Branchiostoma lacked predicted functionally diverged residues found in all authentic RPE65s, but lamprey RPE65 contained all of them. We cloned RPE65 and LRATb cDNAs from lamprey RPE and demonstrated appropriate enzymatic activities. We show that Ciona ß-carotene monooxygenase a (BCMOa) (previously annotated as an RPE65) has carotenoid oxygenase cleavage activity but not RPE65 activity. We verified the presence of RPE65 in lamprey RPE by immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoblot and mass spectrometry. On the basis of these data we conclude that the crucial transition from the typical carotenoid double bond cleavage functionality (BCMO) to the isomerohydrolase functionality (RPE65), coupled with the origin of LRAT, occurred subsequent to divergence of the more primitive chordates (tunicates, etc.) in the last common ancestor of the jawless and jawed vertebrates.

  1. Effects of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression and Cutaneous Wound Repair

    PubMed Central

    Cremers, Niels A. J.; Wever, Kimberley E.; Wong, Ronald J.; van Rheden, René E. M.; Vermeij, Eline A.; van Dam, Gooitzen M.; Carels, Carine E.; Lundvig, Ditte M. S.; Wagener, Frank A. D. T. G.

    2017-01-01

    Skin wounds may lead to scar formation and impaired functionality. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) can induce the anti-inflammatory enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and protect against tissue injury. We aim to improve cutaneous wound repair by RIPC treatment via induction of HO-1. RIPC was applied to HO-1-luc transgenic mice and HO-1 promoter activity and mRNA expression in skin and several other organs were determined in real-time. In parallel, RIPC was applied directly or 24h prior to excisional wounding in mice to investigate the early and late protective effects of RIPC on cutaneous wound repair, respectively. HO-1 promoter activity was significantly induced on the dorsal side and locally in the kidneys following RIPC treatment. Next, we investigated the origin of this RIPC-induced HO-1 promoter activity and demonstrated increased mRNA in the ligated muscle, heart and kidneys, but not in the skin. RIPC did not change HO-1 mRNA and protein levels in the wound 7 days after cutaneous injury. Both early and late RIPC did not accelerate wound closure nor affect collagen deposition. RIPC induces HO-1 expression in several organs, but not the skin, and did not improve excisional wound repair, suggesting that the skin is insensitive to RIPC-mediated protection. PMID:28218659

  2. Regulation of rat heme oxygenase-1 expression by interleukin-6 via the Jak/STAT pathway in hepatocytes.

    PubMed

    Tron, Kyrylo; Samoylenko, Anatoly; Musikowski, Gernot; Kobe, Fritz; Immenschuh, Stephan; Schaper, Fred; Ramadori, Giuliano; Kietzmann, Thomas

    2006-07-01

    Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) can be induced by various stimuli, one of which is interleukin-6 (IL-6). Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for IL-6-dependent HO-1 induction in the liver. The IL-6-dependent HO-1 regulation in rat primary hepatocytes and HepG2 hepatoma cells was studied by Northern and Western blot analyses, HO-1 promoter reporter gene assays and EMSA. The HO-1 expression was transcriptionally induced by IL-6 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) factors by the IL-6 receptor was crucial for HO-1 induction. By contrast, negative regulation of HO-1 expression appeared to be mediated through the SH2-domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP2)/ suppressors of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) binding site within the gp130 IL-6 receptor subunit. Among the three putative STAT binding elements (SBE) in the HO-1 promoter, only the distal one was functional and when deleted, the remaining Luc induction was completely obliterated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002. The HO-1 SBE3 mediates HO-1 gene induction by IL-6 mainly via activation of the Jak/STAT pathway.

  3. Interaction of dopamine beta-mono-oxygenase with substituted imidazoles and pyrazoles. Catalysis and inhibition.

    PubMed Central

    Sirimanne, S R; Herman, H H; May, S W

    1987-01-01

    The interaction of dopamine beta-mono-oxygenase (DBM) with substrate analogues possessing either imidazole or pyrazole functionalities at the alkyl chain terminus was investigated. 1-(4-Hydroxybenzyl)imidazole (4-HOBI) is an active substrate for DBM, and it exhibits the expected ascorbate- and fumarate-dependencies and normal kinetic behaviour at concentrations up to 10 mM. 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde was identified as the product formed from 4-HOBI on the basis of h.p.l.c. and g.c.-m.s. analysis, and its formation exhibits the expected 1:1 stoichiometry with O2 consumption. The 4-HOBI/DBM reaction is kinetically comparable with other DBM activities, and 4-HOBI is the first substrate analogue yet reported that exhibits substantial activity though lacking a terminal amino group. Introduction of a methyl substituent at the 2-position of the imidazole ring abolishes substrate activity, probably through a steric effect. 1-(4-Hydroxybenzyl)pyrazole, where imidazole is replaced by the isomeric pyrazole moiety, is a potent DBM inhibitor, and not a substrate. These results represent the first report of an active heterocyclic substrate or inhibitor for this enzyme, and establish the basis for the design of new classes of DBM substrates and inhibitors. PMID:3593236

  4. PPARα activation sensitizes cancer cells to epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) treatment via suppressing heme oxygenase-1.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Shuyu; Yang, Xiaodong; Luo, Judong; Ge, Xin; Sun, Wanping; Zhu, Hong; Zhang, Weiping; Cao, Jianping; Hou, Yinglong

    2014-01-01

    Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenolic constituent of green tea, is a potent antioxidant that may have potential therapeutic applications for the treatment of many disorders, including cancer. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) has been shown to play a key role in diverse metabolic and cellular functions. PPARα modulates target gene expression by binding to specific regions on the DNA of target genes. The effects and mechanisms of PPARα activation on EGCG efficacy have not yet been analyzed in cancer cells. We found that when cancer cells were exposed to EGCG, the expression of PPARα was increased at the protein level in a dose-dependent manner. The PPARα agonist clofibrate blocked cytoprotective heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction and sensitized multiple types of cancer cells to EGCG-induced cell death. Conversely, the PPARα inhibitor G6471 and PPARα siRNA increased HO-1 expression. Electro-mobility shift assays (EMSA) and in vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) confirmed that PPARα interacts with the peroxisome proliferator-responsive element of the HO-1 promoter. Moreover, cell death induced by EGCG plus clofibrate was partially reversed by HO-1 overexpression in PANC1 cells. These results indicate that PPARα is a direct and negative regulator of HO-1 induced by EGCG and confers cell susceptibility to EGCG.

  5. Characterization of Chlamydomonas Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase variants mutated at residues that are post-translationally modified.

    PubMed

    Rasineni, Girish Kumar; Loh, Pek Chin; Lim, Boon Hoe

    2017-02-01

    Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) is the chloroplast enzyme that fixes CO 2 in photosynthesis, but the enzyme also fixes O 2 , which leads to the wasteful photorespiratory pathway. If we better understand the structure-function relationship of the enzyme, we might be able to engineer improvements. When the crystal structure of Chlamydomonas Rubisco was solved, four new posttranslational modifications were observed which are not present in other species. The modifications were 4-hydroxylation of the conserved Pro-104 and 151 residues, and S-methylation of the variable Cys-256 and 369 residues, which are Phe-256 and Val-369 in land plants. Because the modifications were only observed in Chlamydomonas Rubisco, they might account for the differences in kinetic properties between the algal and plant enzymes. Site-directed mutagenesis and chloroplast transformation have been used to test the essentiality of these modifications by replacing each of the residues with alanine (Ala). Biochemical analyses were done to determine the specificity factors and kinetic constants. Replacing the modified-residues in Chlamydomonas Rubisco affected the enzyme's catalytic activity. Substituting hydroxy-Pro-104 and methyl-Cys-256 with alanine influenced Rubisco catalysis. This is the first study on these posttranslationally-modified residues in Rubisco by genetic engineering. As these forms of modifications/regulation are not available in plants, the modified residues could be a means to modulate Rubisco activity. With a better understanding of Rubisco structure-function, we can define targets for improving the enzyme. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Functional imaging: monitoring heme oxygenase-1 gene expression in vivo

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Weisheng; Reilly-Contag, Pamela; Stevenson, David K.; Contag, Christopher H.

    1999-07-01

    The regulation of genetic elements can be monitored in living animals using photoproteins as reporters. Heme oxygenase (HO) is the key catabolic enzyme in the heme degradation pathway. Here, HO expression serves as a model for in vivo functional imaging of transcriptional regulation of a clinically relevant gene. HO enzymatic activity is inhibited by heme analogs, metalloporphyrins, but many members of this family of compounds also activate transcription of the HO-1 promoter. The degree of transcriptional activation by twelve metalloporphyrins, differing at the central metal and porphyrin ring substituents, was evaluated in both NIH 3T3 stable lines and transgenic animals containing HO-1 promoter-luciferase gene fusions. In the correlative cell culture assays, the metalloporphyrins increased transcription form the full length HO promoter fusion to varying degrees, but none increased transcription from a truncated HO-1 promoter. These results suggested that one or both of the two distal enhancer elements located at -4 and -10 Kb upstream from transcriptional start are required for HO-1 induction by heme and its analogs. The full-length HO-1-luc fusion was then evaluated as a transgene in mice. It was possible to monitor the effects of the metalloporphyrins, SnMP and ZnPP, in living animals over time. This spatiotemporal analyses of gene expression in vivo implied that alterations in porphyrin ring substituents and the central metal may affect the extent of gene activation. These data further indicate that using photoprotein reporters, subtle differences in gene expression can be monitored in living animals.

  7. Fetal Microsatellite in the Heme Oxygenase 1 Promoter Is Associated With Severe and Early-Onset Preeclampsia.

    PubMed

    Kaartokallio, Tea; Utge, Siddheshwar; Klemetti, Miira M; Paananen, Jussi; Pulkki, Kari; Romppanen, Jarkko; Tikkanen, Ilkka; Heinonen, Seppo; Kajantie, Eero; Kere, Juha; Kivinen, Katja; Pouta, Anneli; Lakkisto, Päivi; Laivuori, Hannele

    2018-01-01

    Preeclampsia is a vascular pregnancy disorder that often involves impaired placental development. HO-1 (heme oxygenase 1, encoded by HMOX1 ) is a stress response enzyme crucial for endothelial and placental function. Long version of the guanine-thymine (GT n ) microsatellite in the HMOX1 promoter decreases HO-1 expression, and the long maternal repeat is associated with late-onset preeclampsia. Our aim was to study whether the length of fetal repeat is associated with mother's preeclampsia, whether the length of fetal and maternal repeats affect HO-1 levels in placenta and maternal serum, and whether HO-1 levels are altered in preeclampsia. We genotyped the repeat in the cord blood of 609 preeclamptic and 745 nonpreeclamptic neonates. HO-1 levels were measured in 36 placental samples, and in the first (222 cases/243 controls) and third (176 cases/53 controls) pregnancy trimester serum samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The long fetal GT n repeat was associated with preeclampsia and its severe and early-onset subtypes. Interaction analysis suggested the maternal and fetal effects to be independent. Placental or serum HO-1 levels were not altered in preeclamptics, possibly reflecting heterogeneity of preeclampsia. Carriers of the long fetal and maternal repeats had lower placental and serum HO-1 levels, respectively, providing functional evidence for the association. We conclude that the long fetal GT n repeat may increase mother's risk for especially severe and early-onset preeclampsia. The fetal and maternal risk alleles likely predispose to different disease subtypes. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

  8. Structures of the Substrate-free and Product-bound Forms of HmuO, a Heme Oxygenase from Corynebacterium diphtheriae

    PubMed Central

    Unno, Masaki; Ardèvol, Albert; Rovira, Carme; Ikeda-Saito, Masao

    2013-01-01

    Heme oxygenase catalyzes the degradation of heme to biliverdin, iron, and carbon monoxide. Here, we present crystal structures of the substrate-free, Fe3+-biliverdin-bound, and biliverdin-bound forms of HmuO, a heme oxygenase from Corynebacterium diphtheriae, refined to 1.80, 1.90, and 1.85 Å resolution, respectively. In the substrate-free structure, the proximal and distal helices, which tightly bracket the substrate heme in the substrate-bound heme complex, move apart, and the proximal helix is partially unwound. These features are supported by the molecular dynamic simulations. The structure implies that the heme binding fixes the enzyme active site structure, including the water hydrogen bond network critical for heme degradation. The biliverdin groups assume the helical conformation and are located in the heme pocket in the crystal structures of the Fe3+-biliverdin-bound and the biliverdin-bound HmuO, prepared by in situ heme oxygenase reaction from the heme complex crystals. The proximal His serves as the Fe3+-biliverdin axial ligand in the former complex and forms a hydrogen bond through a bridging water molecule with the biliverdin pyrrole nitrogen atoms in the latter complex. In both structures, salt bridges between one of the biliverdin propionate groups and the Arg and Lys residues further stabilize biliverdin at the HmuO heme pocket. Additionally, the crystal structure of a mixture of two intermediates between the Fe3+-biliverdin and biliverdin complexes has been determined at 1.70 Å resolution, implying a possible route for iron exit. PMID:24106279

  9. Biochemical modifications in Pinus pinaster Ait. as a result of environmental pollution.

    PubMed

    Acquaviva, Rosaria; Vanella, Luca; Sorrenti, Valeria; Santangelo, Rosa; Iauk, Liliana; Russo, Alessandra; Savoca, Francesca; Barbagallo, Ignazio; Di Giacomo, Claudia

    2012-11-01

    Exposure to chemical pollution can cause significant damage to plants by imposing conditions of oxidative stress. Plants combat oxidative stress by inducing antioxidant metabolites, enzymatic scavengers of activated oxygen and heat shock proteins. The accumulation of these proteins, in particular heat shock protein 70 and heme oxygenase, is correlated with the acquisition of thermal and chemical adaptations and protection against oxidative stress. In this study, we used Pinus pinaster Ait. collected in the areas of Priolo and Aci Castello representing sites with elevated pollution and reference conditions, respectively. The presence of heavy metals and the levels of markers of oxidative stress (lipid hydroperoxide levels, thiol groups, superoxide dismutase activity and expression of heat shock protein 70, heme oxygenase and superoxide dismutase) were evaluated, and we measured in field-collected needles the response to environmental pollution. P. pinaster Ait. collected from a site characterized by industrial pollution including heavy metals had elevated stress response as indicated by significantly elevated lipid hydroperoxide levels and decreased thiol groups. In particular, we observed that following a chronic chemical exposure, P. pinaster Ait. showed significantly increased expression of heat shock protein 70, heme oxygenase and superoxide dismutase. This increased expression may have protective effects against oxidative stress and represents an adaptative cellular defence mechanism. These results suggest that evaluation of heme oxygenase, heat shock protein 70 and superoxide dismutase expression in P. pinaster Ait. could represent a useful tool for monitoring environmental contamination of a region and to better understand mechanisms involved in plant defence and stress tolerance.

  10. The Rate-Limiting Step of O2 Activation in the α-Ketoglutarate Oxygenase Factor Inhibiting Hypoxia Inducible Factor

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Factor inhibiting HIF (FIH) is a cellular O2-sensing enzyme, which hydroxylates the hypoxia inducible factor-1α. Previously reported inverse solvent kinetic isotope effects indicated that FIH limits its overall turnover through an O2 activation step (HangaskyJ. A., SabanE., and KnappM. J. (2013) Biochemistry52, 1594−160223351038). Here we characterize the rate-limiting step for O2 activation by FIH using a suite of mechanistic probes on the second order rate constant kcat/KM(O2). Steady-state kinetics showed that the rate constant for O2 activation was slow (kcat/KM(O2)app = 3500 M–1 s–1) compared with other non-heme iron oxygenases, and solvent viscosity assays further excluded diffusional encounter with O2 from being rate limiting on kcat/KM(O2). Competitive oxygen-18 kinetic isotope effect measurements (18kcat/KM(O2) = 1.0114(5)) indicated that the transition state for O2 activation resembled a cyclic peroxohemiketal, which precedes the formation of the ferryl intermediate observed in related enzymes. We interpret this data to indicate that FIH limits its overall activity at the point of the nucleophilic attack of Fe-bound O2— on the C-2 carbon of αKG. Overall, these results show that FIH follows the consensus mechanism for αKG oxygenases, suggesting that FIH may be an ideal enzyme to directly access steps involved in O2 activation among the broad family of αKG oxygenases. PMID:25423620

  11. Heme oxygenase-1 accelerates tumor angiogenesis of human pancreatic cancer.

    PubMed

    Sunamura, Makoto; Duda, Dan G; Ghattas, Maivel H; Lozonschi, Lucian; Motoi, Fuyuhiko; Yamauchi, Jun-Ichiro; Matsuno, Seiki; Shibahara, Shigeki; Abraham, Nader G

    2003-01-01

    Angiogenesis is necessary for the continued growth of solid tumors, invasion and metastasis. Several studies clearly showed that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays an important role in angiogenesis. In this study, we used the vital microscope system, transparent skinfold model, lung colonization model and transduced pancreatic cancer cell line (Panc-1)/human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) cells, to precisely analyze, for the first time, the effect of hHO-1 gene on tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Our results revealed that HO-1 stimulates angiogenesis of pancreatic carcinoma in severe combined immune deficient mice. Overexpression of human hHO-1 after its retroviral transfer into Panc-1 cells did not interfere with tumor growth in vitro. While in vivo the development of tumors was accelerated upon transfection with hHO-1. On the other hand, inhibition of heme oxygenase (HO) activity by stannous mesoporphyrin was able transiently to delay tumor growth in a dose dependent manner. Tumor angiogenesis was markedly increased in Panc-1/hHO-1 compared to mock transfected and wild type. Lectin staining and Ki-67 proliferation index confirmed these results. In addition hHO-1 stimulated in vitro tumor angiogenesis and increased endothelial cell survival. In a lung colonization model, overexpression of hHO-1 increased the occurrence of metastasis, while inhibition of HO activity by stannous mesoporphyrin completely inhibited the occurrence of metastasis. In conclusion, overexpression of HO-1 genes potentiates pancreatic cancer aggressiveness, by increasing tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis and that the inhibition of the HO system may be of useful benefit for the future treatment of the disease.

  12. Activation of necroptosis in human and experimental cholestasis.

    PubMed

    Afonso, Marta B; Rodrigues, Pedro M; Simão, André L; Ofengeim, Dimitry; Carvalho, Tânia; Amaral, Joana D; Gaspar, Maria M; Cortez-Pinto, Helena; Castro, Rui E; Yuan, Junying; Rodrigues, Cecília M P

    2016-09-29

    Cholestasis encompasses liver injury and inflammation. Necroptosis, a necrotic cell death pathway regulated by receptor-interacting protein (RIP) 3, may mediate cell death and inflammation in the liver. We aimed to investigate the role of necroptosis in mediating deleterious processes associated with cholestatic liver disease. Hallmarks of necroptosis were evaluated in liver biopsies of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients and in wild-type and RIP3-deficient (RIP3 -/- ) mice subjected to common bile duct ligation (BDL). The functional link between RIP3, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and antioxidant response was investigated in vivo after BDL and in vitro. We demonstrate increased RIP3 expression and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) phosphorylation in liver samples of human PBC patients, coincident with thioflavin T labeling, suggesting activation of necroptosis. BDL resulted in evident hallmarks of necroptosis, concomitant with progressive bile duct hyperplasia, multifocal necrosis, fibrosis and inflammation. MLKL phosphorylation was increased and insoluble aggregates of RIP3, MLKL and RIP1 formed in BLD liver tissue samples. Furthermore, RIP3 deficiency blocked BDL-induced necroinflammation at 3 and 14 days post-BDL. Serum hepatic enzymes, fibrogenic liver gene expression and oxidative stress decreased in RIP3 -/- mice at 3 days after BDL. However, at 14 days, cholestasis aggravated and fibrosis was not halted. RIP3 deficiency further associated with increased hepatic expression of HO-1 and accumulation of iron in BDL mice. The functional link between HO-1 activity and bile acid toxicity was established in RIP3-deficient primary hepatocytes. Necroptosis is triggered in PBC patients and mediates hepatic necroinflammation in BDL-induced acute cholestasis. Targeting necroptosis may represent a therapeutic strategy for acute cholestasis, although complementary approaches may be required to control progression of chronic cholestatic liver disease.

  13. Diversity and distribution of actinobacterial aromatic ring oxygenase genes across contrasting soil properties.

    PubMed

    Weidow, Christopher A; Bae, Hee-Sung; Chauhan, Ashvini; Ogram, Andrew

    2015-04-01

    The diversity of a gene family encoding Actinobacterial aromatic ring oxygenases (AAROs) was detected by the PCR-cloning approach using a newly designed PCR primer set. The distribution of AAROs was investigated in 11 soils representing different land management and vegetation zones and was correlated with several geochemical parameters including pH, organic matter (OM), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and nitrogen oxides (NO(x)-N: mostly NO3(-)-N). The distribution of individual clades encoding enzymes with potentially different substrates were correlated with different environmental factors, suggesting differential environmental controls on the distribution of specific enzymes as well as sequence diversity. For example, individual clades associated with phthalate dioxygenases were either strongly negatively correlated with pH, or not correlated with pH but showed strong positive correlation with organic carbon content. A large number of clones clustering in a clade related to PAH oxygenases were positively correlated with pH and nitrogen, but not with organic matter. This analysis may yield insight into the ecological forces driving the distribution of these catabolic genes.

  14. Microbial degradation of decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDE) in soil slurry microcosms.

    PubMed

    Chou, Hsi-Ling; Hwa, Mei-Yin; Lee, Yao-Chuan; Chang, Yu-Jie; Chang, Yi-Tang

    2016-03-01

    Decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDE), which has been identified as an endocrine disrupting compound, is used as brominated flame retardant, and this can result in serious bioaccumulation within ecological systems. The objective of this study was to explore DBDE bioremediation (25 mg/kg) using laboratory scale soil slurry microcosms. It was found that effective biodegradation of DBDE occurred in all microcosms. Various biometabolites were identified, namely polybrominated diphenyl ethers congeners and hydroxylated brominated diphenyl ether. Reductive debrominated products such as tri-BDE to hepta-BDE congeners were also detected, and their total concentrations ranged from 77.83 to 91.07 ng/g. The mechanism of DBDE biodegradation in soil slurry microcosms is proposed to consist of a series of biological reactions involving hydroxylation and debromination. Catechol 2,3-oxygenase genes, which are able to bring about meta-cleavage at specific unbrominated locations in carbon backbones, were identified as present during the DBDE biodegradation. No obvious effect on the ecological functional potential based on community-level physiological profiling was observed during DBDE biodegradation, and one major facultative Pseudomonas sp. (99 % similarity) was identified in the various soil slurry microcosms. These findings provide an important basis that should help environmental engineers to design future DBDE bioremediation systems that use a practical microcosm system. A bacterial-mixed culture can be selected as part of the bioaugmentation process for in situ DBDE bioremediation. A soil/water microcosm system can be successfully applied to carry out ex situ DBDE bioremediation.

  15. The Toxicity and Detoxifying Mechanism of Cycloxaprid and Buprofezin in Controlling Sogatella furcifera (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Xiaoli; Yuan, Yongda; Zhang, Tianshu; Wang, Dongsheng; Du, Xingbin; Wu, Xiangwen; Chen, Haixia; Chen, Yaozhong; Jiao, Yuetong; Teng, Haiyuan

    2015-01-01

    The effects of cycloxaprid (a modified neonicotinoid insecticide) and buprofezin (a thiadiazine insecticide) on mortality of the white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera, were determined in laboratory assays. Cycloxaprid killed WBPH nymphs and adults but buprofezin killed only nymphs, and cycloxaprid acted faster than buprofezin. One day after infestation, mortality of third-instar nymphs was >65% with cycloxaprid at 125 mg liter−1 but was <38% with buprofezin at 148 mg liter−1. By the 4th day after infestation, however, control of nymphs by the two insecticides was similar, and cycloxaprid at 125 mg liter−1 caused ≥80% mortality of adults but buprofezin at 148 mg liter−1 (the highest rate tested) caused almost no adult mortality. LC50 values for cycloxaprid were lowest with nymphs, intermediate with adult males, and highest with adult females. Although buprofezin was slower acting than cycloxaprid, its LC50 for nymphs 5 d after infestation was 3.79-fold lower than that of cycloxaprid. Mean carboxylesterase (CarE) specific activity of nymphal WBPH treated with cycloxaprid and buprofezin was higher than that of control, but there was no significant difference between cycloxaprid and control (no insecticide), and it was significantly higher for buprofezin than those of cycloxaprid and control. For glutathione S-transferase and mixed function oxygenase, the specific activity of nymphal WBPH treated with buprofezin was significantly higher than those of cycloxaprid and control, too. PMID:26175461

  16. Weighing the evidence of ecological risk from PAHs contamination in the estuarine environment of Salina Cruz Bay, México.

    PubMed

    Salazar-Coria, L; Schifter, I; González-Macías, C

    2010-03-01

    Results of bulk-phase chemical measurements, toxicological tests combined with bioaccumulation measures in fishes, were used to evaluate the toxicity of the 16 USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the sediment collected from eight stations of the Ventosa Estuarine System, located close to the main center of processing oil in the Mexican Pacific coast. Levels of the sum of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons varied from 22 to 6,850 microg kg(-1) dry weight. Based on sediment quality guidelines, the compounds with high environmental priority were acenaphtylene, acenaphtene, and phenanthrene. Acute toxicity tests with Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia magna as well as chronic toxicity with Panagrellus redivivus were performed. The quantification of hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity was used to assess the induction of the mixed function oxygenase system of brown trout. However, because it is often difficult to blend the results from such very different assays into a unified decision about the potential for impacts, a weight-of-evidence (WOE) approach to sediment quality investigations was followed. These assays provided measurement endpoints that could be used to develop an overall evaluation of the potential for environmental impacts from the oil processing operations. WOE provides a valuable tool for assessing the results of environmental investigations because it provides a framework for considering the strengths and weaknesses of environmental measurements, an approach for addressing uncertainty in the measurements, and documentation of the evaluation and its assumptions.

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

    Neff, Jerry M.; Boehm, Paul D.; Kropp, Roy K.

    We determined the bioavailability to sediment dwelling marine worms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with offshore sediments from 3 spill path and 3 non-spill path areas of Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska, 12 years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The PAHs in sediments from 4 sites sampled in 2001 were primarily from a regional natural petrogenic background derived from organic-rich shales and natural oil seeps associated with sources southeast of PWS. Pyrogenic (combustion) PAHs, primarily from former human and industrial activities, were more abundant than petrogenic PAHs in nearshore sediments from 2 bays associated with past and currentmore » human activities. We performed sediment bioaccumulation tests with the six sediments and polychaete worms according to standard EPA protocols. All the PAHs had a very low bioavailability, as indicated by low values for biota/sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) in the worms. Mean BSAFs for total PAHs (sum of 41 analyte groups) ranged from 0.002 to 0.009. The worms exposed to spill path and non-spill path sediments bioaccumulated small amounts of 4- and 5-ring PAHs, particularly fluoranthene and pyrene; these higher molecular weight PAHs are responsible for induction of mixed function oxygenase (MFO) activity in marine fish, birds, and mammals. These results may help to explain in part why fish from throughout PWS exhibit induced MFO activity. Elevated levels of MFO activity cannot be used as evidence of recent exposure by marine fish, birds, and mammals in the sound to Exxon Valdez oil.« less

  18. The Crystal Structure of the Ring-Hydroxylating Dioxygenase from Sphingomonas CHY-1

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

    Jakoncic,J.; Jouanneau, Y.; Meyer, C.

    The ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase (RHD) from Sphingomonas CHY-1 is remarkable due to its ability to initiate the oxidation of a wide range of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including PAHs containing four- and five-fused rings, known pollutants for their toxic nature. Although the terminal oxygenase from CHY-1 exhibits limited sequence similarity with well characterized RHDs from the naphthalene dioxygenase family, the crystal structure determined to 1.85 {angstrom} by molecular replacement revealed the enzyme to share the same global {alpha}{sub 3}{beta}{sub 3} structural pattern. The catalytic domain distinguishes itself from other bacterial non-heme Rieske iron oxygenases by a substantially larger hydrophobic substrate bindingmore » pocket, the largest ever reported for this type of enzyme. While residues in the proximal region close to the mononuclear iron atom are conserved, the central region of the catalytic pocket is shaped mainly by the side chains of three amino acids, Phe350, Phe404 and Leu356, which contribute to the rather uniform trapezoidal shape of the pocket. Two flexible loops, LI and LII, exposed to the solvent seem to control the substrate access to the catalytic pocket and control the pocket length. Compared with other naphthalene dioxygenases residues Leu223 and Leu226, on loop LI, are moved towards the solvent, thus elongating the catalytic pocket by at least 2 {angstrom}. An 11 {angstrom} long water channel extends from the interface between the {alpha} and {beta} subunits to the catalytic site. The comparison of these structures with other known oxygenases suggests that the broad substrate specificity presented by the CHY-1 oxygenase is primarily due to the large size and particular topology of its catalytic pocket and provided the basis for the study of its reaction mechanism.« less

  19. [Effects of Losartan on expression of heme oxygenases in volume-overloaded rats with left-to-right shunt].

    PubMed

    Yuan, Li-Xing; Liu, Han-Min; Li, Mi; Gao, Ju; Zhou, Tong-Fu

    2005-09-01

    To study the expression of heme oxygenase-1 mRNA and pulmonary remodeling before and after surgical establishment of left-to-right shunt in volume-overloaded SD rats and rats with Losartan intervention. Left-to-right shunt volume-overloaded SD rat models were established by aortocaval shunt operation. Seven rats with shunt were placed on Losartan (Losartan group), 7 rats with but not given Losartan were included in the operation group, and 4 rats after sham operation served as controls. Pulmonary pressure and right ventricular pressure were measured during catheterization. The relative weights ventricles were determined after execution of the rats. Pulmonary vascular remodeling parameters, including percentage arterial wall thickness and percentage muscularized small arteries, were assessed by morphometry. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA expression and heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) mRNA expression were detected RT-PCR method. Pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular relative weight decreased significantly in the rats of Losartan group; in addition, the percentage arterial wall thickness and percentage of muscularized small arteries in the Losartan group were reduced as compared with those in the operation group. The level 1 mRAN expression in rats with shunt was significantly higher than that in rats without shunt. The level mRNA expression in the Losartan group decreased remarkably as compared against that in the operation The level of HO-1 mRNA expression in lungs was significantly higher than that in ventricles. There statistically significant differences in HO-2 mRNA expression levels between the three rat groups. Losartan intervention can markedly reduce pulmonary pressure, inhibit vascular remodeling in volume-overloaded left-to-right shunt rats, and result in down-regulation of HO-1 mRNA expression.

  20. Rapid induction of heme oxygenase 1 mRNA and protein by hyperthermia in rat brain: heme oxygenase 2 is not a heat shock protein.

    PubMed Central

    Ewing, J F; Maines, M D

    1991-01-01

    Catalytic activity of heme oxygenase (heme, hydrogen-donor:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.14.99.3) isozymes, HO-1 and HO-2, permits production of physiologic isomers of bile pigments. In turn, bile pigments biliverdin and bilirubin are effective antioxidants in biological systems. In the rat brain we have identified only the HO-1 isozyme of heme oxygenase as a heat shock protein and defined hyperthermia as a stimulus that causes an increase in brain HO-1 protein. Exposure of male rats to 42 degrees C for 20 min caused a rapid and marked increase in brain 1.8-kilobase HO-1 mRNA. Specifically, a 33-fold increase in brain HO-1 mRNA was observed within 1 h and sustained for at least 6 h posttreatment. In contrast, the two HO-2 homologous transcripts (1.3 and 1.9 kilobases) did not respond to heat shock; neither the ratio nor the level of the two messages differed from that of the control when measured either at 1, 6, or 24 h after hyperthermia. The induction of a 1.8-kilobase HO-1 mRNA resulted in a pronounced increase in HO-1 protein 6 h after hyperthermia, as detected by both Western immunoblot and RIA. Immunocytochemistry of rat brain showed discrete localization of HO-1-like protein only in neurons of select brain regions. Six hours after heat shock, an intense increase in HO-1-like protein was observed in both Purkinje cells of the cerebellum and epithelial cells lining the cerebral aqueduct of the brain. We suggest that the increase in HO-1 protein, hence increased capacity to form bile pigments, represents a neuronal defense mechanism against heat shock stress. Images PMID:2052613

  1. Heme oxygenase-1 enhances autophagy in podocytes as a protective mechanism against high glucose-induced apoptosis

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

    Dong, Chenglong; Zheng, Haining; Huang, Shanshan

    Injury and loss of podocytes play vital roles in diabetic nephropathy progression. Emerging evidence suggests autophagy, which is induced by multiple stressors including hyperglycemia, plays a protective role. Meanwhile, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) possesses powerful anti-apoptotic properties. Therefore, we investigated the impact of autophagy on podocyte apoptosis under diabetic conditions and its association with HO-1. Mouse podocytes were cultured in vitro; apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Transmission electron microscopy and biochemical autophagic flux assays were used to measure the autophagy markers microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and beclin-1. LC3-II and beclin-1 expression peaked 12–24 h after exposing podocytesmore » to high glucose. Inhibition of autophagy with 3-methyladenine or Beclin-1 siRNAs or Atg 5 siRNAs sensitized cells to apoptosis, suggesting autophagy is a survival mechanism. HO-1 inactivation inhibited autophagy, which aggravated podocyte injury in vitro. Hemin-induced autophagy also protected podocytes from hyperglycemia in vitro and was abrogated by HO-1 siRNA. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase phosphorylation was higher in hemin-treated and lower in HO-1 siRNA-treated podocytes. Suppression of AMPK activity reversed HO-1-mediated Beclin-1 upregulation and autophagy, indicating HO-1-mediated autophagy is AMPK dependent. These findings suggest HO-1 induction and regulation of autophagy are potential therapeutic targets for diabetic nephropathy. - Highlights: • High glucose leads to increased autophagy in podocytes at an early stage. • The early autophagic response protects against high glucose-induced apoptosis. • Heme oxygenase-1 enhances autophagy and decreases high glucose -mediated apoptosis. • Heme oxygenase-1 induces autophagy through the activation of AMPK.« less

  2. Osmopriming-induced salt tolerance during seed germination of alfalfa most likely mediates through H2O2 signaling and upregulation of heme oxygenase.

    PubMed

    Amooaghaie, Rayhaneh; Tabatabaie, Fatemeh

    2017-07-01

    The present study showed that osmopriming or pretreatment with low H 2 O 2 doses (2 mM) for 6 h alleviated salt-reduced seed germination. The NADPH oxidase activity was the main source, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity might be a secondary source of H 2 O 2 generation during osmopriming or H 2 O 2 pretreatment. Hematin pretreatment similar to osmopriming improved salt-reduced seed germination that was coincident with the enhancement of heme oxygenase (HO) activity. The semi-quantitative RT-PCR confirmed that osmopriming or H 2 O 2 pretreatment was able to upregulate heme oxygenase HO-1 transcription, while the application of N,N-dimethyl thiourea (DMTU as trap of endogenous H 2 O 2 ) and diphenyleneiodonium (DPI as inhibitor of NADPHox) not only blocked the upregulation of HO but also reversed the osmopriming-induced salt attenuation. The addition of CO-saturated aqueous rescued the inhibitory effect of DMTU and DPI on seed germination and α-amylase activity during osmopriming or H 2 O 2 pretreatment, but H 2 O 2 could not reverse the inhibitory effect of ZnPPIX (as HO inhibitor) or Hb (as CO scavenger) that indicates that the CO acts downstream of H 2 O 2 in priming-driven salt acclimation. The antioxidant enzymes and proline synthesis were upregulated in roots of seedlings grown from primed seeds, and these responses were reversed by adding DMTU, ZnPPIX, and Hb during osmopriming. These findings for the first time suggest that H 2 O 2 signaling and upregulation of heme oxygenase play a crucial role in priming-driven salt tolerance.

  3. SmoXYB1C1Z of Mycobacterium sp. Strain NBB4: a Soluble Methane Monooxygenase (sMMO)-Like Enzyme, Active on C2 to C4 Alkanes and Alkenes

    PubMed Central

    Martin, Kiri E.; Ozsvar, Jazmin

    2014-01-01

    Monooxygenase (MO) enzymes initiate the aerobic oxidation of alkanes and alkenes in bacteria. A cluster of MO genes (smoXYB1C1Z) of thus-far-unknown function was found previously in the genomes of two Mycobacterium strains (NBB3 and NBB4) which grow on hydrocarbons. The predicted Smo enzymes have only moderate amino acid identity (30 to 60%) to their closest homologs, the soluble methane and butane MOs (sMMO and sBMO), and the smo gene cluster has a different organization from those of sMMO and sBMO. The smoXYB1C1Z genes of NBB4 were cloned into pMycoFos to make pSmo, which was transformed into Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2-155. Cells of mc2-155(pSmo) metabolized C2 to C4 alkanes, alkenes, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The activities of mc2-155(pSmo) cells were 0.94, 0.57, 0.12, and 0.04 nmol/min/mg of protein with ethene, ethane, propane, and butane as substrates, respectively. The mc2-155(pSmo) cells made epoxides from ethene, propene, and 1-butene, confirming that Smo was an oxygenase. Epoxides were not produced from larger alkenes (1-octene and styrene). Vinyl chloride and 1,2-dichloroethane were biodegraded by cells expressing Smo, with production of inorganic chloride. This study shows that Smo is a functional oxygenase which is active against small hydrocarbons. M. smegmatis mc2-155(pSmo) provides a new model for studying sMMO-like monooxygenases. PMID:25015887

  4. ATP and magnesium promote cotton short-form ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activase hexamer formation at low micromolar concentrations.

    PubMed

    Kuriata, Agnieszka M; Chakraborty, Manas; Henderson, J Nathan; Hazra, Suratna; Serban, Andrew J; Pham, Tuong V T; Levitus, Marcia; Wachter, Rebekka M

    2014-11-25

    We report a fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) study of the assembly pathway of the AAA+ protein ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activase (Rca), a ring-forming ATPase responsible for activation of inhibited Rubisco complexes for biological carbon fixation. A thermodynamic characterization of simultaneously populated oligomeric states appears critical in understanding Rca structure and function. Using cotton β-Rca, we demonstrate that apparent diffusion coefficients vary as a function of concentration, nucleotide, and cation. Using manual fitting procedures, we provide estimates for the equilibrium constants for the stepwise assembly and find that in the presence of ATPγS, the Kd for hexamerization is 10-fold lower than with ADP (∼0.1 vs ∼1 μM). Hexamer fractions peak at 30 μM and dominate at 8-70 μM Rca, where they comprise 60-80% of subunits with ATPγS, compared with just 30-40% with ADP. Dimer fractions peak at 1-4 μM Rca, where they comprise 15-18% with ATPγS and 26-28% with ADP. At 30 μM Rca, large aggregates begin to form that comprise ∼10% of total protein with ATPγS and ∼25% with ADP. FCS data collected on the catalytically impaired WalkerB-D173N variant in the presence of ATP provided strong support for these results. Titration with free magnesium ions lead to the disaggregation of larger complexes in favor of hexameric forms, suggesting that a second magnesium binding site with a Kd value of 1-3 mM mediates critical subunit contacts. We propose that closed-ring toroidal hexameric forms are stabilized by binding of Mg·ATP plus Mg2+, whereas Mg·ADP promotes continuous assembly to supramolecular aggregates such as spirals.

  5. A unique structural domain in Methanococcoides burtonii ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) acts as a small subunit mimic

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    The catalytic inefficiencies of the CO2-fixing enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) often limit plant productivity. Strategies to engineer more efficient plant Rubiscos have been hampered by evolutionary constraints, prompting interest in Rubisco isoforms from non-photosynthetic organisms. The methanogenic archaeon Methanococcoides burtonii contains a Rubisco isoform that functions to scavenge the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by-product of purine/pyrimidine metabolism. The crystal structure of M. burtonii Rubisco (MbR) presented here at 2.6 Å resolution is composed of catalytic large subunits (LSu) assembled into pentamers of dimers, (L2)5, and differs from Rubiscos from higher plants where LSus are glued together by small subunits (SSu) into hexadecameric L8S8 enzymes. MbR contains a unique 29-amino acid insertion near the C terminus, which folds as a separate domain in the structure. This domain, which is visualized for the first time in this study, is located in a similar position to SSus in L8S8 enzymes between LSus of adjacent L2 dimers, where negatively charged residues coordinate around a Mg2+ ion in a fashion that suggests this domain may be important for the assembly process. The Rubisco assembly domain is thus an inbuilt SSu mimic that concentrates L2 dimers. MbR assembly is ligand-stimulated, and we show that only 6-carbon molecules with a particular stereochemistry at the C3 carbon can induce oligomerization. Based on MbR structure, subunit arrangement, sequence, phylogenetic distribution, and function, MbR and a subset of Rubiscos from the Methanosarcinales order are proposed to belong to a new Rubisco subgroup, named form IIIB. PMID:28154188

  6. Inadequate Antioxidative Responses in Kidneys of Brain-Dead Rats.

    PubMed

    Hoeksma, Dane; Rebolledo, Rolando A; Hottenrott, Maximilia; Bodar, Yves S; Wiersema-Buist, Janneke J; Van Goor, Harry; Leuvenink, Henri G D

    2017-04-01

    Brain death (BD)-related lipid peroxidation, measured as serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, correlates with delayed graft function in renal transplant recipients. How BD affects lipid peroxidation is not known. The extent of BD-induced organ damage is influenced by the speed at which intracranial pressure increases. To determine possible underlying causes of lipid peroxidation, we investigated the renal redox balance by assessing oxidative and antioxidative processes in kidneys of brain-dead rats after fast and slow BD induction. Brain death was induced in 64 ventilated male Fisher rats by inflating a 4.0F Fogarty catheter in the epidural space. Fast and slow inductions were achieved by an inflation speed of 0.45 and 0.015 mL/min, respectively, until BD confirmation. Healthy non-brain-dead rats served as reference values. Brain-dead rats were monitored for 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 hours, after which organs and blood were collected. Increased MDA levels became evident at 2 hours of slow BD induction at which increased superoxide levels, decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, decreased glutathione levels, increased inducible nitric oxide synthase and heme-oxygenase 1 expression, and increased plasma creatinine levels were evident. At 4 hours after slow BD induction, superoxide, MDA, and plasma creatinine levels increased further, whereas GPx activity remained decreased. Increased MDA and plasma creatinine levels also became evident after 4 hours fast BD induction. Brain death leads to increased superoxide production, decreased GPx activity, decreased glutathione levels, increased inducible nitric oxide synthase and heme-oxygenase 1 expression, and increased MDA and plasma creatinine levels. These effects were more pronounced after slow BD induction. Modulation of these processes could lead to decreased incidence of delayed graft function.

  7. A unique structural domain in Methanococcoides burtonii ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) acts as a small subunit mimic.

    PubMed

    Gunn, Laura H; Valegård, Karin; Andersson, Inger

    2017-04-21

    The catalytic inefficiencies of the CO 2 -fixing enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) often limit plant productivity. Strategies to engineer more efficient plant Rubiscos have been hampered by evolutionary constraints, prompting interest in Rubisco isoforms from non-photosynthetic organisms. The methanogenic archaeon Methanococcoides burtonii contains a Rubisco isoform that functions to scavenge the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by-product of purine/pyrimidine metabolism. The crystal structure of M. burtonii Rubisco (MbR) presented here at 2.6 Å resolution is composed of catalytic large subunits (LSu) assembled into pentamers of dimers, (L 2 ) 5 , and differs from Rubiscos from higher plants where LSus are glued together by small subunits (SSu) into hexadecameric L 8 S 8 enzymes. MbR contains a unique 29-amino acid insertion near the C terminus, which folds as a separate domain in the structure. This domain, which is visualized for the first time in this study, is located in a similar position to SSus in L 8 S 8 enzymes between LSus of adjacent L 2 dimers, where negatively charged residues coordinate around a Mg 2+ ion in a fashion that suggests this domain may be important for the assembly process. The Rubisco assembly domain is thus an inbuilt SSu mimic that concentrates L 2 dimers. MbR assembly is ligand-stimulated, and we show that only 6-carbon molecules with a particular stereochemistry at the C 3 carbon can induce oligomerization. Based on MbR structure, subunit arrangement, sequence, phylogenetic distribution, and function, MbR and a subset of Rubiscos from the Methanosarcinales order are proposed to belong to a new Rubisco subgroup, named form IIIB. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  8. Fibroblast growth factor 10 protects neuron against oxygen–glucose deprivation injury through inducing heme oxygenase-1

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

    Li, Yong-Hua; Yang, Li-Ye; Chen, Wei

    2015-01-02

    Highlights: • FGF10 attenuates OGD induced injury in cortical neuron. • FGF10 reduces OGD triggered ROS level in cortical neuron. • FGF10 induces HO-1 expression upon OGD stimuli in cortical neuron. • Knockdown of HO-1 impairs the neuroprotection of FGF10 in OGD model. - Abstract: Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a family of structurally related heparin-binding proteins with diverse biological functions. FGFs participate in mitogenesis, angiogenesis, cell proliferation, development, differentiation and cell migration. Here, we investigated the potential effect of FGF10, a member of FGFs, on neuron survival in oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) model. In primary cultured mouse cortical neurons uponmore » OGD, FGF10 treatment (100 and 1000 ng/ml) attenuated the decrease of cell viability and rescued the LDH release. Tuj-1 immunocytochemistry assay showed that FGF10 promoted neuronal survival. Apoptosis assay with Annexin V + PI by flow cytometry demonstrated that FGF10 treatment reduced apoptotic cell proportion. Moreover, immunoblotting showed that FGF10 alleviated the cleaved caspase-3 upregulation caused by OGD. FGF10 treatment also depressed the OGD-induced increase of caspase-3, -8 and -9 activities. At last, we found FGF10 triggered heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression rather than hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling. Knockdown of HO-1 by siRNA partly abolished the neuroprotection of FGF10 in OGD model. In summary, our observations provide the first evidence for the neuroprotective function of FGF10 against ischemic neuronal injury and suggest that FGF10 may be a promising agent for treatment of ischemic stroke.« less

  9. Heme oxygenase-1-derived bilirubin counteracts HIV protease inhibitor-mediated endothelial cell dysfunction

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Xiao-Ming; Durante, Zane E.; Peyton, Kelly J.; Durante, William

    2016-01-01

    The use of HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) has extended the duration and quality of life for HIV-positive individuals. However there is increasing concern that this antiviral therapy may promote premature cardiovascular disease by impairing endothelial cell (EC) function. In the present study, we investigated the effect of HIV PIs on EC function and determined if the enzyme heme oxygenase (HO-1) influences the biological action of these drugs. We found that three distinct PIs, including ritonavir, atazanavir, and lopinavir, stimulated the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA. The induction of HO-1 was associated with an increase in NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS). PIs also stimulated HO-1 promoter activity and this was prevented by mutating the antioxidant responsive element or by overexpressing dominant-negative Nrf2. In addition, the PI-mediated induction of HO-1 was abolished by N-acetyl-L-cysteine and rotenone. Furthermore, PIs blocked EC proliferation and migration and stimulated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and the adhesion of monocytes on ECs. Inhibition of HO-1 activity or expression potentiated the anti-proliferative and inflammatory actions of PIs which was reversed by bilirubin but not carbon monoxide. Alternatively, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of HO-1 attenuated the growth-inhibitory and inflammatory effect of PIs. In contrast, blocking HO-1 activity failed to modify the anti-migratory effect of the PIs. Thus, induction of HO-1 via the ROS–Nrf2 pathway in human ECs counteracts the anti-proliferative and inflammatory actions of PIs by generating bilirubin. Therapeutic approaches targeting HO-1 may provide a novel approach in preventing EC dysfunction and vascular disease in HIV-infected patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy. PMID:26968795

  10. Heme oxygenase-1 expression protects the heart from acute injury caused by inducible Cre recombinase

    PubMed Central

    Hull, Travis D.; Bolisetty, Subashini; DeAlmeida, Angela; Litovsky, Silvio H.; Prabhu, Sumanth D.; Agarwal, Anupam; George, James F.

    2013-01-01

    The protective effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in cardiovascular disease has been previously demonstrated using transgenic animal models in which HO-1 is constitutively overexpressed in the heart. However, the temporal requirements for protection by HO-1 induction relative to injury have not been investigated, but are essential to employ HO-1 as a therapeutic strategy in human cardiovascular disease states. Therefore, we generated mice with cardiac-specific, tamoxifen (TAM)-inducible overexpression of a human HO-1 (hHO-1) transgene (MHC-HO-1 mice) by breeding mice with cardiac-specific expression of a TAM-inducible Cre recombinase (MHC-Cre mice) with mice containing an hHO-1 transgene preceded by a floxed stop signal (CBA-flox mice). MHC-HO-1 overexpress the HO-1 gene and enzymatically protein following TAM administration (40 mg/kg body weight on two consecutive days). In MHC-Cre controls, TAM administration leads to severe, acute cardiac toxicity, cardiomyocyte necrosis, and 80% mortality by day 3. This cardiac toxicity is accompanied by a significant increase in inflammatory cells in the heart that are predominantly neutrophils. In MHC-HO-1 mice, HO-1 overexpression ameliorates the depression of cardiac function and high mortality rate observed in MHC-Cre mice following TAM administration and attenuates cardiomyocyte necrosis and neutrophil infiltration. These results highlight that HO-1 induction is sufficient to prevent the depression of cardiac function observed in mice with TAM-inducible Cre recombinase expression by protecting the heart from necrosis and neutrophil infiltration. These findings are important because MHC-Cre mice are widely used in cardiovascular research despite the limitations imposed by Cre-induced cardiac toxicity and also because inflammation is an important pathological component of many human cardiovascular diseases. PMID:23732814

  11. Heme oxygenase-1 expression protects the heart from acute injury caused by inducible Cre recombinase.

    PubMed

    Hull, Travis D; Bolisetty, Subhashini; DeAlmeida, Angela C; Litovsky, Silvio H; Prabhu, Sumanth D; Agarwal, Anupam; George, James F

    2013-08-01

    The protective effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in cardiovascular disease has been previously demonstrated using transgenic animal models in which HO-1 is constitutively overexpressed in the heart. However, the temporal requirements for protection by HO-1 induction relative to injury have not been investigated, but are essential to employ HO-1 as a therapeutic strategy in human cardiovascular disease states. Therefore, we generated mice with cardiac-specific, tamoxifen (TAM)-inducible overexpression of a human HO-1 (hHO-1) transgene (myosin heavy chain (MHC)-HO-1 mice) by breeding mice with cardiac-specific expression of a TAM-inducible Cre recombinase (MHC-Cre mice), with mice containing an hHO-1 transgene preceded by a floxed-stop signal. MHC-HO-1 mice overexpress HO-1 mRNA and the enzymatically active protein following TAM administration (40 mg/kg body weight on 2 consecutive days). In MHC-Cre controls, TAM administration leads to severe, acute cardiac toxicity, cardiomyocyte necrosis, and 80% mortality by day 3. This cardiac toxicity is accompanied by a significant increase in inflammatory cells in the heart that are predominantly neutrophils. In MHC-HO-1 mice, HO-1 overexpression ameliorates the depression of cardiac function and high mortality rate observed in MHC-Cre mice following TAM administration and attenuates cardiomyocyte necrosis and neutrophil infiltration. These results highlight that HO-1 induction is sufficient to prevent the depression of cardiac function observed in mice with TAM-inducible Cre recombinase expression by protecting the heart from necrosis and neutrophil infiltration. These findings are important because MHC-Cre mice are widely used in cardiovascular research despite the limitations imposed by Cre-induced cardiac toxicity, and also because inflammation is an important pathological component of many human cardiovascular diseases.

  12. Chlorogenic acid improves ex vivo vessel function and protects endothelial cells against HOCl-induced oxidative damage, via increased production of nitric oxide and induction of Hmox-1.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Rujia; Hodgson, Jonathan M; Mas, Emilie; Croft, Kevin D; Ward, Natalie C

    2016-01-01

    Dietary polyphenols are potential contributors toward improved cardiovascular health. Coffee is one of the richest sources of dietary polyphenols in a coffee-drinking population, the most abundant form being chlorogenic acid (CGA). Endothelial dysfunction is an early and major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Nitric oxide (NO) is a key factor in regulation of endothelial function. Heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox-1), an inducible isoform of heme oxygenase that is produced in response to stressors such as oxidative stress, may also play a role in vascular protection. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CGA on endothelial function with oxidant-induced damage in isolated aortic rings from C57BL mice. We further examine the mechanism by investigating cell viability, activation of eNOS and induction of Hmox-1 in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). We found that pretreatment of isolated aortic rings with 10-μM CGA-protected vessels against HOCl-induced endothelial dysfunction (P<0.05). Pretreatment of cultured HAECs with 10-μM CGA increased endothelial cell viability following exposure to HOCl (P<0.05). Moreover, CGA increased NO production in HAECs in a dose-dependent manner, peaking at 6 h (P<0.05). CGA at 5 μM and 10 μM increased eNOS dimerization at 6 h and induced Hmox-1 protein expression at 6 h and 24 h in HAECs. These results are consistent with the cardiovascular protective effects of coffee polyphenols and demonstrate that CGA can protect vessels and cultured endothelial cells against oxidant-induced damage. The mechanism behind the beneficial effect of CGA appears to be in part via increased production of NO and induction of Hmox-1. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. The coordinated increased expression of biliverdin reductase and heme oxygenase-2 promotes cardiomyocyte survival: a reductase-based peptide counters β-adrenergic receptor ligand-mediated cardiac dysfunction

    PubMed Central

    Ding, Bo; Gibbs, Peter E. M.; Brookes, Paul S.; Maines, Mahin D.

    2011-01-01

    HO-2 oxidizes heme to CO and biliverdin; the latter is reduced to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase (BVR). In addition, HO-2 is a redox-sensitive K/Ca2-associated protein, and BVR is an S/T/Y kinase. The two enzymes are components of cellular defense mechanisms. This is the first reporting of regulation of HO-2 by BVR and that their coordinated increase in isolated myocytes and intact heart protects against cardiotoxicity of β-adrenergic receptor activation by isoproterenol (ISO). The induction of BVR mRNA, protein, and activity and HO-2 protein was maintained for ≥96 h; increase in HO-1 was modest and transient. In isolated cardiomyocytes, experiments with cycloheximide, proteasome inhibitor MG-132, and siBVR suggested BVR-mediated stabilization of HO-2. In both models, activation of BVR offered protection against the ligand's stimulation of apoptosis. Two human BVR-based peptides known to inhibit and activate the reductase, KKRILHC281 and KYCCSRK296, respectively, were tested in the intact heart. Perfusion of the heart with the inhibitory peptide blocked ISO-mediated BVR activation and augmented apoptosis; conversely, perfusion with the activating peptide inhibited apoptosis. At the functional level, peptide-mediated inhibition of BVR was accompanied by dysfunction of the left ventricle and decrease in HO-2 protein levels. Perfusion of the organ with the activating peptide preserved the left ventricular contractile function and was accompanied by increased levels of HO-2 protein. Finding that BVR and HO-2 levels, myocyte apoptosis, and contractile function of the heart can be modulated by small human BVR-based peptides offers a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of cardiac dysfunctions.—Ding, B., Gibbs, P. E. M., Brookes, P. S., Maines, M. D. The coordinated increased expression of biliverdin reductase and heme oxygenase-2 promotes cardiomyocyte survival; a reductase-based peptide counters β-adrenergic receptor ligand-mediated cardiac dysfunction. PMID:20876213

  14. Preemptive heme oxygenase-1 gene delivery reveals reduced mortality and preservation of left ventricular function 1 yr after acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xiaoli; Simpson, Jeremy A; Brunt, Keith R; Ward, Christopher A; Hall, Sean R R; Kinobe, Robert T; Barrette, Valerie; Tse, M Yat; Pang, Stephen C; Pachori, Alok S; Dzau, Victor J; Ogunyankin, Kofo O; Melo, Luis G

    2007-07-01

    We reported previously that predelivery of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene to the heart by adeno-associated virus-2 (AAV-2) markedly reduces ischemia and reperfusion (I/R)-induced myocardial injury. However, the effect of preemptive HO-1 gene delivery on long-term survival and prevention of postinfarction heart failure has not been determined. We assessed the effect of HO-1 gene delivery on long-term survival, myocardial function, and left ventricular (LV) remodeling 1 yr after myocardial infarction (MI) using echocardiographic imaging, pressure-volume (PV) analysis, and histomorphometric approaches. Two groups of Lewis rats were injected with 2 x 10(11) particles of AAV-LacZ (control) or AAV-human HO-1 (hHO-1) in the anterior-posterior apical region of the LV wall. Six weeks after gene transfer, animals were subjected to 30 min of ischemia by ligation of the left anterior descending artery followed by reperfusion. Echocardiographic measurements and PV analysis of LV function were obtained at 2 wk and 12 mo after I/R. One year after acute MI, mortality was markedly reduced in the HO-1-treated animals compared with the LacZ-treated animals. PV analysis demonstrated significantly enhanced LV developed pressure, elevated maximal dP/dt, and lower end-diastolic volume in the HO-1 animals compared with the LacZ animals. Echocardiography showed a larger apical anterior-to-posterior wall ratio in HO-1 animals compared with LacZ animals. Morphometric analysis revealed extensive myocardial scarring and fibrosis in the infarcted LV area of LacZ animals, which was reduced by 62% in HO-1 animals. These results suggest that preemptive HO-1 gene delivery may be useful as a therapeutic strategy to reduce post-MI LV remodeling and heart failure.

  15. Cyclo-oxygenase isozymes in mucosal ulcergenic and functional responses following barrier disruption in rat stomachs.

    PubMed

    Hirata, T; Ukawa, H; Yamakuni, H; Kato, S; Takeuchi, K

    1997-10-01

    1. We examined the effects of selective and nonselective cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibitors on various functional changes in the rat stomach induced by topical application of taurocholate (TC) and investigated the preferential role of COX isozymes in these responses. 2. Rat stomachs mounted in ex vivo chambers were perfused with 50 mM HCl and transmucosal potential difference (p.d.), mucosal blood flow (GMBF), luminal acid loss and luminal levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were measured before, during and after exposure to 20 mM TC. 3. Mucosal application of TC in control rats caused a reduction in p.d., followed by an increase of luminal acid loss and GMBF, and produced only minimal damage in the mucosa 2 h later. Pretreatment with indomethacin (10 mg kg[-1], s.c.), a nonselective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor, attenuated the gastric hyperaemic response caused by TC without affecting p.d. and acid loss, resulting in haemorrhagic lesions in the mucosa. In contrast, selective COX-2 inhibitors, such as NS-398 and nimesulide (10 mg kg[-1], s.c.), had no effect on any of the responses induced by TC and did not cause gross damage in the mucosa. 4. Luminal PGE2 levels were markedly increased during and after exposure to TC and this response was significantly inhibited by indomethacin but not by either NS-398 or nimesulide. The expression of COX-1-mRNA was consistently detected in the gastric mucosa before and after TC treatment, while a faint expression of COX-2-mRNA was detected only 2 h after TC treatment. 5. Both NS-398 and nimesulide significantly suppressed carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, similar to indomethacin. 6. These results confirmed a mediator role for prostaglandins in the gastric hyperaemic response following TC-induced barrier disruption, and suggest that COX-1 but not COX-2 is a key enzyme in maintaining 'housekeeping' functions in the gastric mucosa under both normal and adverse conditions.

  16. Heme oxygenase 1 defects lead to reduced chlorophyll in Brassica napus.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Lixia; Yang, Zonghui; Zeng, Xinhua; Gao, Jie; Liu, Jie; Yi, Bin; Ma, Chaozhi; Shen, Jinxiong; Tu, Jinxing; Fu, Tingdong; Wen, Jing

    2017-04-01

    We previously described a Brassica napus chlorophyll-deficient mutant (ygl) with yellow-green seedling leaves and mapped the related gene, BnaC.YGL, to a 0.35 cM region. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this chlorophyll defect are still unknown. In this study, the BnaC07.HO1 gene (equivalent to BnaC.YGL) was isolated by the candidate gene approach, and its function was confirmed by genetic complementation. Comparative sequencing analysis suggested that BnaC07.HO1 was lost in the mutant, while a long noncoding-RNA was inserted into the promoter of the homologous gene BnaA07.HO1. This insert was widely present in B. napus cultivars and down-regulated BnaA07.HO1 expression. BnaC07.HO1 was highly expressed in the seedling leaves and encoded heme oxygenase 1, which was localized in the chloroplast. Biochemical analysis showed that BnaC07.HO1 can catalyze heme conversion to form biliverdin IXα. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the loss of BnaC07.HO1 impaired tetrapyrrole metabolism, especially chlorophyll biosynthesis. According, the levels of chlorophyll intermediates were reduced in the ygl mutant. In addition, gene expression in multiple pathways was affected in ygl. These findings provide molecular evidences for the basis of the yellow-green leaf phenotype and further insights into the crucial role of HO1 in B. napus.

  17. Influence of Plant Growth at High CO2 Concentrations on Leaf Content of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase and Intracellular Distribution of Soluble Carbohydrates in Tobacco, Snapdragon, and Parsley.

    PubMed Central

    Moore, Bd.; Palmquist, D. E.; Seemann, J. R.

    1997-01-01

    We have examined the possible role of leaf cytosolic hexoses and the expression of mannitol metabolism as mechanisms that may affect the repression of photosynthetic capacity when plants are grown at 1000 versus 380 [mu]L L-1 CO2. In plants grown at high CO2, leaf ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase content declined by [greater than or equal to]20% in tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris) but was not affected in the mannitol-producing species snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) and parsley (Petroselinum hortense). In the three species mesophyll glucose and fructose at midday occurred almost entirely in the vacuole (>99%), irrespective of growth CO2 levels. The estimated cytosolic concentrations of glucose and fructose were [less than or equal to]100 [mu]M. In the three species grown at high CO2, total leaf carbohydrates increased 60 to 100%, but mannitol metabolism did not function as an overflow mechanism for the increased accumulation of carbohydrate. In both snapdragon and parsley grown at ambient or high CO2, mannitol occurred in the chloroplast and cytosol at estimated midday concentrations of 0.1 M or more each. The compartmentation of leaf hexoses and the metabolism of alternate carbohydrates are further considered in relation to photosynthetic acclimation to high levels of CO2. PMID:12223804

  18. Topography of tyrosine residues and their involvement in peroxidation of polyunsaturated cardiolipin in cytochrome c/cardiolipin peroxidase complexes

    PubMed Central

    Kapralov, Alexandr A.; Yanamala, Naveena; Tyurina, Yulia Y.; Castro, Laura; Arias, Alejandro Samhan; Vladimirov, Yuri A.; Maeda, Akihiro; Weitz, Andrew A.; Peterson, Jim; Mylnikov, Danila; Demicheli, Verónica; Tortora, Verónica; Klein-Seetharaman, Judith; Radi, Rafael; Kagan, Valerian E.

    2011-01-01

    Formation of cytochrome c (cyt c)/cardiolipin (CL) peroxidase complex selective towards peroxidation of polyunsaturated CLs is a pre-requisite for mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Tyrosine residues – via the generation of tyrosyl radicals (Tyr•) - are likely reactive intermediates of the peroxidase cycle leading to CL peroxidation. We used mutants of horse heart cyt c in which each of the four Tyr residues was substituted for Phe and assessed their contribution to the peroxidase catalysis. Tyr67Phe mutation was associated with a partial loss of the oxygenase function of the cyt c/CL complex and the lowest concentration of H2O2-induced Tyr radicals in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. Our MS experiments directly demonstrated decreased production of CL-hydroperoxides (CL-OOH) by Tyr67Phe mutant. Similarly, oxidation of a phenolic substrate, Amplex Red, was affected to a greater extent in Tyr67Phe than in three other mutants. Tyr67Phe mutant exerted high resistance to H2O2-induced oligomerization. Measurements of Tyr fluorescence, hetero-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and computer simulations position Tyr67 in close proximity to the porphyrin ring heme iron and one of the two axial heme-iron ligand residues, Met80. Thus, the highly conserved Tyr67 is a likely electron-donor (radical acceptor) in the oxygenase half-reaction of the cyt c/CL peroxidase complex. PMID:21550335

  19. Vasculoprotective effects of heme oxygenase-1 in a murine model of hyperoxia-induced bronchopulmonary dysplasia

    PubMed Central

    Fernandez-Gonzalez, Angeles; Alex Mitsialis, S.; Liu, Xianlan

    2012-01-01

    Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by simplified alveolarization and arrested vascular development of the lung with associated evidence of endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, increased oxidative damage, and iron deposition. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been reported to be protective in the pathogenesis of diseases of inflammatory and oxidative etiology. Because HO-1 is involved in the response to oxidative stress produced by hyperoxia and is critical for cellular heme and iron homeostasis, it could play a protective role in BPD. Therefore, we investigated the effect of HO-1 in hyperoxia-induced lung injury using a neonatal transgenic mouse model with constitutive lung-specific HO-1 overexpression. Hyperoxia triggered an increase in pulmonary inflammation, arterial remodeling, and right ventricular hypertrophy that was attenuated by HO-1 overexpression. In addition, hyperoxia led to pulmonary edema, hemosiderosis, and a decrease in blood vessel number, all of which were markedly improved in HO-1 overexpressing mice. The protective vascular response may be mediated at least in part by carbon monoxide, due to its anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and antiapoptotic properties. HO-1 overexpression, however, did not prevent alveolar simplification nor altered the levels of ferritin and lactoferrin, proteins involved in iron binding and transport. Thus the protective mechanisms elicited by HO-1 overexpression primarily preserve vascular growth and barrier function through iron-independent, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory pathways. PMID:22287607

  20. Studies on the neuroprotective action of kynurenine mono-oxygenase inhibitors in post-ischemic brain damage.

    PubMed

    Moroni, Flavio; Carpenedo, Raffaella; Cozzi, Andrea; Meli, Elena; Chiarugi, Alberto; Pellegrini-Giampietro, Domenico E

    2003-01-01

    Kynurenine 3-mono-oxygenase (KMO) inhibitors facilitate kynurenic acid (KYNA) neosynthesis and reduce the formation of 3OH-kynurenine (3-HK) and quinolinic acid (QUIN). They also attenuate post-ischemic brain damage and decrease glutamate (Glu) content in brain extracellular spaces. To investigate KMO mechanism(s) of neuroprotection, we performed experiments in gerbils subjected to bilateral carotid occlusion and in organotypic rat hippocampal slice cultures exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). In gerbils, direct application of KYNA (100 nM, through reverse microdialysis in the hippocampus) completely prevented the increase in Glu output induced by transient (5 min) occlusion of the carotids. In rat hippocampal slices exposed for 30 min to OGD, KMO inhibitors (m-nitrobenzoyl)-alanine (mNBA, 30-100 microM) or 3,4-dimethoxy-[-N-4-(nitrophenyl)thiazol-2yl]-benzenesulfonamide (Ro 61-8048, 1-10 microM) reduced post-ischemic neuronal death and increased KYNA concentrations in the incubation medium. KYNA may antagonize glycineb or alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors but the concentrations in the incubation medium never reached values that could efficiently antagonize receptor function. On the contrary, 3-HK (1-10 microM) added to slices exposed to OGD in the presence of KMO inhibitors completely prevented the neuroprotective effects of the inhibitors. Our findings suggest that KMO inhibitors reduce OGD-induced pyramidal cell death by decreasing 3-HK (and possibly QUIN) synthesis.

  1. Enhancement of DEN-induced liver tumorigenesis in heme oxygenase-1 G143H mutant transgenic mice

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

    Jin, Jianfeng; Wang, Dayong; Xiao, Haifeng

    Heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate-limiting enzyme in heme metabolism. HO-1 exhibits anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory function via the actions of its metabolite, respectively. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that HO-1 is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of several types of cancer. However, whether HO-1 takes part in healthy-premalignant-malignant transformation is still undefined. In this study, we took advantage of transgenic mice which over-expressed HO-1 dominant negative mutant (HO-1 G143H) and observed its susceptibility to DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Our results indicate that HO-1 G143H mutant accelerates the progression of tumorigenesis and tumor growth. The mechanism is closely related to enhancementmore » of ROS production which induce more hepatocytes death and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, proliferation of surviving hepatocytes. Our result provides the direct evidence that HO-1 plays an important protective role in liver carcinogenesis. Alternatively, we suggest the possible explanation on effect of HO-1 promoter polymorphism which involved in tumorigenesis. - Highlights: • Enhancement of DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in HO-1 G143H Tg mice. • HO-1G143H mutant enhanced DEN-induced ROS production and liver injury. • HO-1G143H mutant aggravated DEN-induced changes of inflammatory factors and cell proliferation.« less

  2. Effects of combined mesenchymal stem cells and heme oxygenase-1 therapy on cardiac performance.

    PubMed

    Zeng, Bin; Chen, Honglei; Zhu, Chengang; Ren, Xiaofeng; Lin, Guosheng; Cao, Feng

    2008-10-01

    Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to repair the infarcted myocardium and improve cardiac function. However, this approach is limited by its poor viability after transplantation, and controversy still exists over the mechanism by which MSCs contribute to the tissue repair. The human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) was transfected into cultured MSCs using an adenoviral vector. 1 x 10(6) Ad-hHO-1-transfected MSCs (HO-1-MSCs) or Ad-Null-transfected MSCs (Null-MSCs) or PBS only (PBS group) were injected intramyocardially into rat hearts 1h after myocardial infarction. HO-1-MSCs survived in the infarcted myocardium, and expressed hHO-1 mRNA. The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was significantly enhanced in HO-1-MSCs-treated hearts. At the same time, there were significant reduction of TNF-alpha, IL-1-beta and IL-6 mRNA, and marked increase of IL-10 mRNA in HO-1-MSCs-treated hearts. Moreover, a further downregulation of proapoptotic protein, Bax, and a marked increase in microvessel density were observed in HO-1-MSCs-treated hearts. The infarct size and cardiac performance were also significantly improved in HO-1-MSCs-treated hearts. The combined approach improves MSCs survival and is superior to MSCs injection alone.

  3. A Central Role for Heme Oxygenase-1 in the Control of Intestinal Epithelial Chemokine Expression.

    PubMed

    Onyiah, Joseph C; Schaefer, Rachel E M; Colgan, Sean P

    2018-05-23

    In mucosal inflammatory disorders, the protective influence of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and its metabolic byproducts, carbon monoxide (CO) and biliverdin, is a topic of significant interest. Mechanisms under investigation include the regulation of macrophage function and mucosal cytokine expression. While there is an increasing recognition of the importance of epithelial-derived factors in the maintenance of intestinal mucosal homeostasis, the contribution of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) HO-1 on inflammatory responses has not previously been investigated. We examined the influence of modulating HO-1 expression on the inflammatory response of human IECs. Engineered deficiency of HO-1 in Caco-2 and T84 IECs led to increased proinflammatory chemokine expression in response to pathogenic bacteria and inflammatory cytokine stimulation. Crosstalk with activated leukocytes also led to increased chemokine expression in HO-1-deficient cells in an IL-1β dependent manner. Treatment of Caco-2 cells with a pharmacological inducer of HO-1 led to the inhibition of chemokine expression. Mechanistic studies suggest that HO-1 and HO-1-related transcription factors, but not HO-1 metabolic products, are partly responsible for the influence of HO-1 on chemokine expression. In conclusion, our data identify HO-1 as a central regulator of IEC chemokine expression that may contribute to homeo-stasis in the intestinal mucosa. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  4. PIOX, a new pathogen-induced oxygenase with homology to animal cyclooxygenase.

    PubMed

    Sanz, A; Moreno, J I; Castresana, C

    1998-09-01

    Changes in gene expression induced in tobacco leaves by the harpin HrpN protein elicitor were examined, and a new cDNA, piox (for pathogen-induced oxygenase), with homology to genes encoding cyclooxygenase or prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS), was identified. In addition to the amino acid identity determined, the protein encoded by piox is predicted to have a structural core similar to that of ovine PGHS-1. Moreover, studies of protein functionality demonstrate that the PIOX recombinant protein possesses at least one of the two enzymatic activities of PGHSs, that of catalyzing the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. piox transcripts accumulated after protein elicitor treatment or inoculation with bacteria. Expression of piox was induced in tissues responding to inoculation with both incompatible and compatible bacteria, but RNA and protein accumulation differed for both types of interactions. We show that expression of piox is rapidly induced in response to various cellular signals mediating plant responses to pathogen infection and that activation of piox expression is most likely related to the oxidative burst that takes place during the cell death processes examined. Cyclooxygenase catalyzes the first committed step in the formation of prostaglandins and thromboxanes, which are lipid-derived signal molecules that mediate many cellular processes, including the immune response in vertebrates. The finding of tobacco PIOX suggests that more similarities than hitherto expected will be found between the lipid-based responses for plant and animal systems.

  5. Catalytic Mechanisms of Fe(II)- and 2-Oxoglutarate-dependent Oxygenases*

    PubMed Central

    Martinez, Salette; Hausinger, Robert P.

    2015-01-01

    Mononuclear non-heme Fe(II)- and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent oxygenases comprise a large family of enzymes that utilize an Fe(IV)-oxo intermediate to initiate diverse oxidative transformations with important biological roles. Here, four of the major types of Fe(II)/2OG-dependent reactions are detailed: hydroxylation, halogenation, ring formation, and desaturation. In addition, an atypical epimerization reaction is described. Studies identifying several key intermediates in catalysis are concisely summarized, and the proposed mechanisms are explained. In addition, a variety of other transformations catalyzed by selected family members are briefly described to further highlight the chemical versatility of these enzymes. PMID:26152721

  6. Sulfur Oxygenase Reductase (Sor) in the Moderately Thermoacidophilic Leaching Bacteria: Studies in Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans and Acidithiobacillus caldus.

    PubMed

    Janosch, Claudia; Remonsellez, Francisco; Sand, Wolfgang; Vera, Mario

    2015-10-21

    The sulfur oxygenase reductase (Sor) catalyzes the oxygen dependent disproportionation of elemental sulfur, producing sulfite, thiosulfate and sulfide. Being considered an "archaeal like" enzyme, it is also encoded in the genomes of some acidophilic leaching bacteria such as Acidithiobacillus caldus, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans and Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans, among others. We measured Sor activity in crude extracts from Sb. thermosulfidooxidans DSM 9293(T). The optimum temperature for its oxygenase activity was achieved at 75 °C, confirming the "thermophilic" nature of this enzyme. Additionally, a search for genes probably involved in sulfur metabolism in the genome sequence of Sb. thermosulfidooxidans DSM 9293(T) was done. Interestingly, no sox genes were found. Two sor genes, a complete heterodisulfidereductase (hdr) gene cluster, three tetrathionate hydrolase (tth) genes, three sulfide quinonereductase (sqr), as well as the doxD component of a thiosulfate quinonereductase (tqo) were found. Seven At. caldus strains were tested for Sor activity, which was not detected in any of them. We provide evidence that an earlier reported Sor activity from At. caldus S1 and S2 strains most likely was due to the presence of a Sulfobacillus contaminant.

  7. Sulfur Oxygenase Reductase (Sor) in the Moderately Thermoacidophilic Leaching Bacteria: Studies in Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans and Acidithiobacillus caldus

    PubMed Central

    Janosch, Claudia; Remonsellez, Francisco; Sand, Wolfgang; Vera, Mario

    2015-01-01

    The sulfur oxygenase reductase (Sor) catalyzes the oxygen dependent disproportionation of elemental sulfur, producing sulfite, thiosulfate and sulfide. Being considered an “archaeal like” enzyme, it is also encoded in the genomes of some acidophilic leaching bacteria such as Acidithiobacillus caldus, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans and Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans, among others. We measured Sor activity in crude extracts from Sb. thermosulfidooxidans DSM 9293T. The optimum temperature for its oxygenase activity was achieved at 75 °C, confirming the “thermophilic” nature of this enzyme. Additionally, a search for genes probably involved in sulfur metabolism in the genome sequence of Sb. thermosulfidooxidans DSM 9293T was done. Interestingly, no sox genes were found. Two sor genes, a complete heterodisulfidereductase (hdr) gene cluster, three tetrathionate hydrolase (tth) genes, three sulfide quinonereductase (sqr), as well as the doxD component of a thiosulfate quinonereductase (tqo) were found. Seven At. caldus strains were tested for Sor activity, which was not detected in any of them. We provide evidence that an earlier reported Sor activity from At. caldus S1 and S2 strains most likely was due to the presence of a Sulfobacillus contaminant. PMID:27682113

  8. Cysteine-independent activation/inhibition of heme oxygenase-2

    PubMed Central

    Vukomanovic, Dragic; Rahman, Mona N.; Maines, Mahin D.; Ozolinš, Terence RS; Szarek, Walter A.; Jia, Zongchao; Nakatsu, Kanji

    2016-01-01

    Reactive thiols of cysteine (cys) residues in proteins play a key role in transforming chemical reactivity into a biological response. The heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) isozyme contains two cys residues that have been implicated in binding of heme and also the regulation of its activity. In this paper, we address the question of a role for cys residues for the HO-2 inhibitors or activators designed in our laboratory. We tested the activity of full length recombinant human heme oxygenase-2 (FL-hHO-2) and its analog in which cys265 and cys282 were both replaced by alanine to determine the effect on activation by menadione (MD) and inhibition by QC-2350. Similar inhibition by QC-2350 and almost identical activation by MD was observed for both recombinant FL-hHO-2s. Our findings are interpreted to mean that thiols of FL-hHO-2s are not involved in HO-2 activation or inhibition by the compounds that have been designed and identified by us. Activation or inhibition of HO-2 by our compounds should be attributed to a mechanism other than altering binding affinity of HO-2 for heme through cys265 and cys282. PMID:27826418

  9. Cysteine-independent activation/inhibition of heme oxygenase-2.

    PubMed

    Vukomanovic, Dragic; Rahman, Mona N; Maines, Mahin D; Ozolinš, Terence Rs; Szarek, Walter A; Jia, Zongchao; Nakatsu, Kanji

    2016-03-01

    Reactive thiols of cysteine (cys) residues in proteins play a key role in transforming chemical reactivity into a biological response. The heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) isozyme contains two cys residues that have been implicated in binding of heme and also the regulation of its activity. In this paper, we address the question of a role for cys residues for the HO-2 inhibitors or activators designed in our laboratory. We tested the activity of full length recombinant human heme oxygenase-2 (FL-hHO-2) and its analog in which cys265 and cys282 were both replaced by alanine to determine the effect on activation by menadione (MD) and inhibition by QC-2350. Similar inhibition by QC-2350 and almost identical activation by MD was observed for both recombinant FL-hHO-2s. Our findings are interpreted to mean that thiols of FL-hHO-2s are not involved in HO-2 activation or inhibition by the compounds that have been designed and identified by us. Activation or inhibition of HO-2 by our compounds should be attributed to a mechanism other than altering binding affinity of HO-2 for heme through cys265 and cys282.

  10. Naringin Decreases TNF-α and HMGB1 Release from LPS-Stimulated Macrophages and Improves Survival in a CLP-Induced Sepsis Mice

    PubMed Central

    Hong, Sang Bum; Lee, Kyung Jin

    2016-01-01

    Naringin, a flavanone glycoside extracted from various plants, has a wide range of pharmacological effects. In the present study, we investigated naringin’s mechanism of action and its inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha and high-mobility group box 1 expression in macrophages, and on death in a cecal ligation and puncture induced mouse model of sepsis. Naringin increased heme oxygenase 1 expression in peritoneal macrophage cells through the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, p38, and NF-E2-related factor 2. Inhibition of heme oxygenase 1 abrogated the naringin’s inhibitory effect on high-mobility group box 1 expression and NF-kB activation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. Moreover, mice pretreated with naringin (200 mg/kg) exhibited decreased sepsis-induced mortality and lung injury, and alleviated lung pathological changes. However, the naringin’s protective effects on sepsis-induced lung injury were eliminated by zinc protoporphyrin, a heme oxygenase 1 competitive inhibitor. These results revealed the mechanism underlying naringin’s protective effect in inflammation and may be beneficial for the treatment of sepsis. PMID:27716835

  11. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase and Polyphenol Oxidase in the Tobacco Mutant Su/su and Three Green Revertant Plants 1

    PubMed Central

    Koivuniemi, Paul J.; Tolbert, N. E.; Carlson, Peter S.

    1980-01-01

    Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC 4.1.1.39) was crystallized from a heterozygous tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) aurea mutant (Su/su), its wild-type sibling (su/su), and green revertant plants regenerated from green spots found on leaves of haploid Su plants. No differences were found in the specific activity or kinetic parameters of this enzyme, when comparing Su/su and su/su plants of the same age, which had been grown under identical conditions. The enzyme crystallized from revertant plants was also identical to the enzyme from wild-type plants with the exception of one clone, designated R2. R2 has a chromosome number approximately double that of the wild-type (87.0 ± 11.1 versus 48). The enzyme from R2 had a lower Vmax for CO2, although the Km values were identical to those for the enzyme from the wild-type plant. The enzyme from all mutant plants had identical isoelectric points, identical molecular weight as demonstrated by migration on native and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels, and the same ratio of large to small subunits as the enzyme from the wild-type. The large subunit of the enzyme from tobacco leaves exhibited a different electrophoretic pattern than did the large subunit from spinach; there were two to three bands on SDS-polyacrylamide gels for the tobacco enzyme whereas the enzyme from spinach had only one species of large subunit. Total polyphenol oxidase activity was the same in leaves from the heterozygous mutant (Su/su) and wild-type (su/su) plants when correlated with developmental age as represented by morphology rather than by the chronological age of the plants. There was a marked increase in the soluble activity of this enzyme with increasing age of both plant types and also as a result of varying environmental conditions. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity correlated inversely with increases in the soluble activity of polyphenol oxidase in crude homogenates from which the carboxylase/oxygenase was crystallized over a generation of Su/su and su/su plants. Criteria are outlined for determining if differences in activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase are caused by an effect of polyphenol oxidase activity and/or by some other extrinsic parameter. PMID:16661290

  12. Structural insight into the substrate- and dioxygen-binding manner in the catalytic cycle of rieske nonheme iron oxygenase system, carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase.

    PubMed

    Ashikawa, Yuji; Fujimoto, Zui; Usami, Yusuke; Inoue, Kengo; Noguchi, Haruko; Yamane, Hisakazu; Nojiri, Hideaki

    2012-06-24

    Dihydroxylation of tandemly linked aromatic carbons in a cis-configuration, catalyzed by multicomponent oxygenase systems known as Rieske nonheme iron oxygenase systems (ROs), often constitute the initial step of aerobic degradation pathways for various aromatic compounds. Because such RO reactions inherently govern whether downstream degradation processes occur, novel oxygenation mechanisms involving oxygenase components of ROs (RO-Os) is of great interest. Despite substantial progress in structural and physicochemical analyses, no consensus exists on the chemical steps in the catalytic cycles of ROs. Thus, determining whether conformational changes at the active site of RO-O occur by substrate and/or oxygen binding is important. Carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase (CARDO), a RO member consists of catalytic terminal oxygenase (CARDO-O), ferredoxin (CARDO-F), and ferredoxin reductase. We have succeeded in determining the crystal structures of oxidized CARDO-O, oxidized CARDO-F, and both oxidized and reduced forms of the CARDO-O: CARDO-F binary complex. In the present study, we determined the crystal structures of the reduced carbazole (CAR)-bound, dioxygen-bound, and both CAR- and dioxygen-bound CARDO-O: CARDO-F binary complex structures at 1.95, 1.85, and 2.00 Å resolution. These structures revealed the conformational changes that occur in the catalytic cycle. Structural comparison between complex structures in each step of the catalytic mechanism provides several implications, such as the order of substrate and dioxygen bindings, the iron-dioxygen species likely being Fe(III)-(hydro)peroxo, and the creation of room for dioxygen binding and the promotion of dioxygen binding in desirable fashion by preceding substrate binding. The RO catalytic mechanism is proposed as follows: When the Rieske cluster is reduced, substrate binding induces several conformational changes (e.g., movements of the nonheme iron and the ligand residue) that create room for oxygen binding. Dioxygen bound in a side-on fashion onto nonheme iron is activated by reduction to the peroxo state [Fe(III)-(hydro)peroxo]. This state may react directly with the bound substrate, or O-O bond cleavage may occur to generate Fe(V)-oxo-hydroxo species prior to the reaction. After producing a cis-dihydrodiol, the product is released by reducing the nonheme iron. This proposed scheme describes the catalytic cycle of ROs and provides important information for a better understanding of the mechanism.

  13. Heme oxygenase-1 system and gastrointestinal tumors

    PubMed Central

    Zhu, Xiao; Fan, Wen-Guo; Li, Dong-Pei; Lin, Marie CM; Kung, Hsiangfu

    2010-01-01

    Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) system catabolizes heme into three products: carbon monoxide, biliverdin/bilirubin and free iron. It is involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. A great deal of data has demonstrated the roles of HO-1 in the formation, growth and metastasis of tumors. The interest in this system by investigators involved in gastrointestinal tumors is fairly recent, and few papers on HO-1 have touched upon this subject. This review focuses on the current understanding of the physiological significance of HO-1 induction and its possible roles in the gastrointestinal tumors studied to date. The implications for possible therapeutic manipulation of HO-1 in gastrointestinal tumors are also discussed. PMID:20518085

  14. 1H NMR study of the effect of variable ligand on heme oxygenase electronic and molecular structure

    PubMed Central

    Ma, Li-Hua; Liu, Yangzhong; Zhang, Xuhong; Yoshida, Tadashi; La Mar, Gerd N.

    2009-01-01

    Heme oxygenase carries out stereospecific catabolism of protohemin to yield iron, CO and biliverdin. Instability of the physiological oxy complex has necessitated the use of model ligands, of which cyanide and azide are amenable to solution NMR characterization. Since cyanide and azide are contrasting models for bound oxygen, it is of interest to characterize differences in their molecular and/or electronic structures. We report on detailed 2D NMR comparison of the azide and cyanide substrate complexes of heme oxygenase from Neisseria meningitidis, which reveals significant and widespread differences in chemical shifts between the two complexes. To differentiate molecular from electronic structural changes between the two complexes, the anisotropy and orientation of the paramagnetic susceptibility tensor were determined for the azide complex for comparison with those for the cyanide complex. Comparison of the predicted and observed dipolar shifts reveals that shift differences are strongly dominated by differences in electronic structure and do not provide any evidence for detectable differences in molecular structure or hydrogen bonding except in the immediate vicinity of the distal ligand. The readily cleaved C-terminus interacts with the active site and saturation-transfer allows difficult heme assignments in the high-spin aquo complex. PMID:18976815

  15. Preferential recognition of undisruptable dimers of inducible nitric oxide synthase by a monoclonal antibody directed against an N-terminal epitope.

    PubMed

    Mazumdar, Tuhina; Eissa, N Tony

    2005-02-15

    Overproduction of NO by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. iNOS is active only as a homodimer in which the subunits align in a head-to-head manner, with the N-terminal oxygenase domains forming the dimer interface and a zinc metal center stabilizing the dimer. Thus, dimerization represents a critical locus for therapeutic interventions for regulation of NO synthesis. We have recently shown that intracellular iNOS forms dimers that are "undisruptable (UD)" by heat, SDS, strong denaturants, and/or reducing agents. Our data further suggest that the zinc metal center plays a role in forming and/or stabilizing iNOS undisruptable dimers (UD-dimers). In this study, we show that a mAb directed against a unique epitope at the oxygenase domain of human iNOS preferentially recognizes UD-dimers. This observation has implications for the mechanism of formation and regulation of dimer formation of iNOS. Our data suggest that UD-dimers of iNOS, in spite of SDS-PAGE denaturation, still maintain features of the quaternary structure of iNOS particularly at its N-terminal end and including head-to-head contact of the oxygenase domains.

  16. Arterial carboxyhemoglobin level and outcome in critically ill patients.

    PubMed

    Melley, Daniel D; Finney, Simon J; Elia, Androula; Lagan, Anna L; Quinlan, Gregory J; Evans, Timothy W

    2007-08-01

    Arterial carboxyhemoglobin is elevated in patients with critical illness. It is an indicator of the endogenous production of carbon monoxide by the enzyme heme oxygenase, which modulates the response to oxidant stress. The objective was to explore the hypothesis that arterial carboxyhemoglobin level is associated with inflammation and survival in patients requiring cardiothoracic intensive care. Prospective, observational study. A cardiothoracic intensive care unit. All patients admitted over a 15-month period. None. Arterial carboxyhemoglobin, bilirubin, and standard biochemical, hematologic, and physiologic markers of inflammation were measured in 1,267 patients. Associations were sought between levels of arterial carboxyhemoglobin, markers of the inflammatory response, and clinical outcome. Intensive care unit mortality was associated with lower minimum and greater maximal carboxyhemoglobin levels (p < .0001 and p < .001, respectively). After adjustment for age, gender, illness severity, and other relevant variables, a lower minimum arterial carboxyhemoglobin was associated with an increased risk of death from all causes (odds risk of death, 0.391; 95% confidence interval, 0.190-0.807; p = .011). Arterial carboxyhemoglobin correlated with markers of the inflammatory response. Both low minimum and high maximum levels of arterial carboxyhemoglobin were associated with increased intensive care mortality. Although the heme oxygenase system is protective, excessive induction may be deleterious. This suggests that there may be an optimal range for heme oxygenase-1 induction.

  17. Purification and characterization of a bacterial nitrophenol oxygenase which converts ortho-nitrophenol to catechol and nitrite.

    PubMed Central

    Zeyer, J; Kocher, H P

    1988-01-01

    A nitrophenol oxygenase which stoichiometrically converted ortho-nitrophenol (ONP) to catechol and nitrite was isolated from Pseudomonas putida B2 and purified. The substrate specificity of the enzyme was broad and included several halogen- and alkyl-substituted ONPs. The oxygenase consisted of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 58,000 (determined by gel filtration) or 65,000 (determined on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel). The enzymatic reaction was NADPH dependent, and one molecule of oxygen was consumed per molecule of ONP converted. Enzymatic activity was stimulated by magnesium or manganese ions, whereas the addition of flavin adenine dinucleotide, flavin mononucleotide, or reducing agents had no effect. The apparent Kms for ONP and NADPH were 8 and 140 microM, respectively. 2,4-Dinitrophenol competitively (Ki = 0.5 microM) inhibited ONP turnover. The optimal pH for enzyme stability and activity was in the range of 7.5 to 8.0. At 40 degrees C, the enzyme was totally inactivated within 2 min; however, in the presence of 1 mM ONP, 40% of the activity was recovered, even after 10 min. Enzymatic activity was best preserved at -20 degrees C in the presence of 50% glycerol. Images PMID:3350791

  18. CD and MCD of CytC3 and taurine dioxygenase: role of the facial triad in alpha-KG-dependent oxygenases.

    PubMed

    Neidig, Michael L; Brown, Christina D; Light, Kenneth M; Fujimori, Danica Galonić; Nolan, Elizabeth M; Price, John C; Barr, Eric W; Bollinger, J Martin; Krebs, Carsten; Walsh, Christopher T; Solomon, Edward I

    2007-11-21

    The alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha-KG)-dependent oxygenases are a large and diverse class of mononuclear non-heme iron enzymes that require FeII, alpha-KG, and dioxygen for catalysis with the alpha-KG cosubstrate supplying the additional reducing equivalents for oxygen activation. While these systems exhibit a diverse array of reactivities (i.e., hydroxylation, desaturation, ring closure, etc.), they all share a common structural motif at the FeII active site, termed the 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad. Recently, a new subclass of alpha-KG-dependent oxygenases has been identified that exhibits novel reactivity, the oxidative halogenation of unactivated carbon centers. These enzymes are also structurally unique in that they do not contain the standard facial triad, as a Cl- ligand is coordinated in place of the carboxylate. An FeII methodology involving CD, MCD, and VTVH MCD spectroscopies was applied to CytC3 to elucidate the active-site structural effects of this perturbation of the coordination sphere. A significant decrease in the affinity of FeII for apo-CytC3 was observed, supporting the necessity of the facial triad for iron coordination to form the resting site. In addition, interesting differences observed in the FeII/alpha-KG complex relative to the cognate complex in other alpha-KG-dependent oxygenases indicate the presence of a distorted 6C site with a weak water ligand. Combined with parallel studies of taurine dioxygenase and past studies of clavaminate synthase, these results define a role of the carboxylate ligand of the facial triad in stabilizing water coordination via a H-bonding interaction between the noncoordinating oxygen of the carboxylate and the coordinated water. These studies provide initial insight into the active-site features that favor chlorination by CytC3 over the hydroxylation reactions occurring in related enzymes.

  19. Microsomal enzyme activities in beluga whales from the Mackenzie River Delta, Northwest Territories, Canada

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

    Lockhart, L.; Metner, D.; Muir, D.

    1995-12-31

    On two occasions the authors have obtained samples of liver from freshly killed beluga whales harvested by Inuit hunters. The first samples were obtained from whales trapped in the Husky Lakes; with the onset of winter, ice restricted these whales to small breathing holes where they were taken by hunters. They were found to be starving, with body weights about 200 kg less than those expected for whales of their length. Liver mixed-function oxygenase activities, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, correlated closely with blubber residues of polychlorinated biphenyls. A second group of whales was taken in the summer hunt inmore » Kugmallit Bay and showed no sign of starvation. The enzyme activities in these whales had weaker statistical relationships to PCB residues. These observations suggested that mobilization of blubber by the starving whales may have released PCBs to act pharmacologically. The authors could not test this hypothesis directly on whales, but an experiment was carried out on laboratory fish to try to examine it. Arctic char were given low dosages of PCB congener 126 and then maintained on diets of full normal ration, half-ration and quarter-ration over a period of 48 weeks, with sub-sampling at intervals. Fish receiving less than maintenance rations responded with decreases in body fat and increases in EROD activities. These laboratory results suggest that correlations between enzymatic activities and PCBs in the starving whales may indeed have been the result of the loss of blubber and concomitant release of PCBs.« less

  20. The Toxicity and Detoxifying Mechanism of Cycloxaprid and Buprofezin in Controlling Sogatella furcifera (Homoptera: Delphacidae).

    PubMed

    Chang, Xiaoli; Yuan, Yongda; Zhang, Tianshu; Wang, Dongsheng; Du, Xingbin; Wu, Xiangwen; Chen, Haixia; Chen, Yaozhong; Jiao, Yuetong; Teng, Haiyuan

    2015-01-01

    The effects of cycloxaprid (a modified neonicotinoid insecticide) and buprofezin (a thiadiazine insecticide) on mortality of the white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera, were determined in laboratory assays. Cycloxaprid killed WBPH nymphs and adults but buprofezin killed only nymphs, and cycloxaprid acted faster than buprofezin. One day after infestation, mortality of third-instar nymphs was >65% with cycloxaprid at 125 mg liter(-1) but was <38% with buprofezin at 148 mg liter(-1). By the 4th day after infestation, however, control of nymphs by the two insecticides was similar, and cycloxaprid at 125 mg liter(-1) caused ≥ 80% mortality of adults but buprofezin at 148 mg liter(-1) (the highest rate tested) caused almost no adult mortality. LC50 values for cycloxaprid were lowest with nymphs, intermediate with adult males, and highest with adult females. Although buprofezin was slower acting than cycloxaprid, its LC50 for nymphs 5 d after infestation was 3.79-fold lower than that of cycloxaprid. Mean carboxylesterase (CarE) specific activity of nymphal WBPH treated with cycloxaprid and buprofezin was higher than that of control, but there was no significant difference between cycloxaprid and control (no insecticide), and it was significantly higher for buprofezin than those of cycloxaprid and control. For glutathione S-transferase and mixed function oxygenase, the specific activity of nymphal WBPH treated with buprofezin was significantly higher than those of cycloxaprid and control, too. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Entomological Society of America.

  1. Role of Heme Oxygenase-1 in Polymyxin B-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

    PubMed Central

    Watanabe, Mirian

    2012-01-01

    Polymyxin B (PMB) is a cationic polypeptide antibiotic with activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. PMB-induced nephrotoxicity consists of direct toxicity to the renal tubules and the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with oxidative damage. This study evaluated the nephroprotective effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) against PMB-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Adult male Wistar rats, weighing 286 ± 12 g, were treated intraperitoneally once a day for 5 days with saline, hemin (HO-1 inducer; 10 mg/kg), zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) (HO-1 inhibitor; 50 μmol/kg, administered before PMB on day 5), PMB (4 mg/kg), PMB plus hemin, and PMB plus ZnPP. Renal function (creatinine clearance, Jaffe method), urinary peroxides (ferrous oxidation of xylenol orange version 2 [FOX-2]), urinary thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), renal tissue thiols, catalase activity, and renal tissue histology were analyzed. The results showed that PMB reduced creatinine clearance (P < 0.05), with an increase in urinary peroxides and TBARS. The PMB toxicity caused a reduction in catalase activity and thiols (P < 0.05). Hemin attenuated PMB nephrotoxicity by increasing the catalase antioxidant activity (P < 0.05). The combination of PMB and ZnPP incremented the fractional interstitial area of renal tissue (P < 0.05), and acute tubular necrosis in the cortex area was also observed. This is the first study demonstrating the protective effect of HO-1 against PMB-induced nephrotoxicity. PMID:22802257

  2. Serine 363 of a Hydrophobic Region of Archaeal Ribulose 1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase from Archaeoglobus fulgidus and Thermococcus kodakaraensis Affects CO2/O2 Substrate Specificity and Oxygen Sensitivity.

    PubMed

    Kreel, Nathan E; Tabita, F Robert

    2015-01-01

    Archaeal ribulose 1, 5-bisphospate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) is differentiated from other RubisCO enzymes and is classified as a form III enzyme, as opposed to the form I and form II RubisCOs typical of chemoautotrophic bacteria and prokaryotic and eukaryotic phototrophs. The form III enzyme from archaea is particularly interesting as several of these proteins exhibit unusual and reversible sensitivity to molecular oxygen, including the enzyme from Archaeoglobus fulgidus. Previous studies with A. fulgidus RbcL2 had shown the importance of Met-295 in oxygen sensitivity and pointed towards the potential significance of another residue (Ser-363) found in a hydrophobic pocket that is conserved in all RubisCO proteins. In the current study, further structure/function studies have been performed focusing on Ser-363 of A. fulgidus RbcL2; various changes in this and other residues of the hydrophobic pocket point to and definitively establish the importance of Ser-363 with respect to interactions with oxygen. In addition, previous findings had indicated discrepant CO2/O2 specificity determinations of the Thermococcus kodakaraensis RubisCO, a close homolog of A. fulgidus RbcL2. It is shown here that the T. kodakaraensis enzyme exhibits a similar substrate specificity as the A. fulgidus enzyme and is also oxygen sensitive, with equivalent residues involved in oxygen interactions.

  3. Serine 363 of a Hydrophobic Region of Archaeal Ribulose 1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase from Archaeoglobus fulgidus and Thermococcus kodakaraensis Affects CO2/O2 Substrate Specificity and Oxygen Sensitivity

    PubMed Central

    Kreel, Nathan E.; Tabita, F. Robert

    2015-01-01

    Archaeal ribulose 1, 5-bisphospate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) is differentiated from other RubisCO enzymes and is classified as a form III enzyme, as opposed to the form I and form II RubisCOs typical of chemoautotrophic bacteria and prokaryotic and eukaryotic phototrophs. The form III enzyme from archaea is particularly interesting as several of these proteins exhibit unusual and reversible sensitivity to molecular oxygen, including the enzyme from Archaeoglobus fulgidus. Previous studies with A. fulgidus RbcL2 had shown the importance of Met-295 in oxygen sensitivity and pointed towards the potential significance of another residue (Ser-363) found in a hydrophobic pocket that is conserved in all RubisCO proteins. In the current study, further structure/function studies have been performed focusing on Ser-363 of A. fulgidus RbcL2; various changes in this and other residues of the hydrophobic pocket point to and definitively establish the importance of Ser-363 with respect to interactions with oxygen. In addition, previous findings had indicated discrepant CO2/O2 specificity determinations of the Thermococcus kodakaraensis RubisCO, a close homolog of A. fulgidus RbcL2. It is shown here that the T. kodakaraensis enzyme exhibits a similar substrate specificity as the A. fulgidus enzyme and is also oxygen sensitive, with equivalent residues involved in oxygen interactions. PMID:26381513

  4. Heme Oxygenase-2 Modulates Early Pathogenesis after Traumatic Injury to the Immature Brain

    PubMed Central

    Yoneyama-Sarnecky, Tomoko; Olivas, Andrea D.; Azari, Soraya; Ferriero, Donna M.; Manvelyan, Hovhannes M.; Noble-Haeusslein, Linda J.

    2010-01-01

    We determined if heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2), an enzyme that degrades the pro-oxidant heme, confers neuroprotection in the developing brain after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Male HO-2 wild-type (WT) and homozygous knockout (KO) mice at postnatal day 21 were subjected to TBI and euthanized 1, 7, and 14 days later. Relative cerebral blood flow, measured by laser Doppler, cortical and hippocampal pathogenesis, and motor recovery were evaluated at all time points. Cerebral blood flow was found to be similar between experimental groups. Blood flow significantly decreased immediately after injury, returned to baseline by 1 day, and was significantly elevated by 7 days, post-injury. Nonheme iron preferentially accumulated in the ipsilateral cortex, hippocampus, and external capsule in both WT and KO brain-injured genotypes. There were, however, a significantly greater number of TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and a significantly greater cortical lesion volume in KOs relative to WTs within the first week post-injury. By 14 days post-injury, however, cortical lesion volume and cell density in the hippocampal CA3 region and dorsal thalamus were similar between the two groups. Assays of fine motor function (grip strength) over the first 2 weeks post-injury revealed a general pattern of decreased strength in the contralateral forelimbs of KOs as compared to WTs. Together, these findings demonstrate that deficiency in HO-2 alters both the kinetics of secondary damage and fine motor recovery after TBI. PMID:20389079

  5. The Oxygenase CAO-1 of Neurospora crassa Is a Resveratrol Cleavage Enzyme

    PubMed Central

    Díaz-Sánchez, Violeta; F. Estrada, Alejandro; Limón, M. Carmen; Al-Babili, Salim

    2013-01-01

    The genome of the ascomycete Neurospora crassa encodes CAO-1 and CAO-2, two members of the carotenoid cleavage oxygenase family that target double bonds in different substrates. Previous studies demonstrated the role of CAO-2 in cleaving the C40 carotene torulene, a key step in the synthesis of the C35 apocarotenoid pigment neurosporaxanthin. In this work, we investigated the activity of CAO-1, assuming that it may provide retinal, the chromophore of the NOP-1 rhodopsin, by cleaving β-carotene. For this purpose, we tested CAO-1 activity with carotenoid substrates that were, however, not converted. In contrast and consistent with its sequence similarity to family members that act on stilbenes, CAO-1 cleaved the interphenyl Cα-Cβ double bond of resveratrol and its derivative piceatannol. CAO-1 did not convert five other similar stilbenes, indicating a requirement for a minimal number of unmodified hydroxyl groups in the stilbene background. Confirming its biological function in converting stilbenes, adding resveratrol led to a pronounced increase in cao-1 mRNA levels, while light, a key regulator of carotenoid metabolism, did not alter them. Targeted Δcao-1 mutants were not impaired by the presence of resveratrol, a phytoalexin active against different fungi, which did not significantly affect the growth and development of wild-type Neurospora. However, under partial sorbose toxicity, the Δcao-1 colonies exhibited faster radial growth than control strains in the presence of resveratrol, suggesting a moderate toxic effect of resveratrol cleavage products. PMID:23893079

  6. Co-operation of the transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 with Sp1 or Sp3 leads to transcriptional activation of the human haem oxygenase-1 gene promoter in a hepatoma cell line.

    PubMed Central

    Takahashi, Shigeru; Matsuura, Naomi; Kurokawa, Takako; Takahashi, Yuji; Miura, Takashi

    2002-01-01

    We reported previously that the 5'-flanking region (nucleotides -1976 to -1655) of the human haem oxygenase-1 ( hHO-1 ) gene enhances hHO-1 promoter activity in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, but not in HeLa cells [Takahashi, Takahashi, Ito, Nagano, Shibahara and Miura (1999) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1447, 231-235]. To define more precisely the regulatory elements involved, in the present study we have functionally dissected this region and localized the enhancer to a 50 bp fragment (-1793 to -1744). Site-direct mutagenesis analysis revealed that two regions were responsible for this enhancer activity, i.e. a hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4) homologous region and a GC box motif homologous region. Mutation in either region alone moderately decreased enhancer activity. However, mutations in both regions reduced promoter activity to the basal level. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays demonstrated that the P5-2 fragment (-1793 to -1744) interacted with at least two nuclear factors, i.e. HNF-4 and Sp1/Sp3. Co-transfection experiments using Drosophila SL2 cells revealed that HNF-4 and Sp1/Sp3 synergistically stimulated the enhancer activity of the P5-2 fragment. These results indicate that co-operation of HNF-4 with Sp1 or Sp3 leads to the activation of hHO-1 gene expression in hepatoma cells. PMID:12133007

  7. Co-operation of the transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 with Sp1 or Sp3 leads to transcriptional activation of the human haem oxygenase-1 gene promoter in a hepatoma cell line.

    PubMed

    Takahashi, Shigeru; Matsuura, Naomi; Kurokawa, Takako; Takahashi, Yuji; Miura, Takashi

    2002-11-01

    We reported previously that the 5'-flanking region (nucleotides -1976 to -1655) of the human haem oxygenase-1 ( hHO-1 ) gene enhances hHO-1 promoter activity in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, but not in HeLa cells [Takahashi, Takahashi, Ito, Nagano, Shibahara and Miura (1999) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1447, 231-235]. To define more precisely the regulatory elements involved, in the present study we have functionally dissected this region and localized the enhancer to a 50 bp fragment (-1793 to -1744). Site-direct mutagenesis analysis revealed that two regions were responsible for this enhancer activity, i.e. a hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4) homologous region and a GC box motif homologous region. Mutation in either region alone moderately decreased enhancer activity. However, mutations in both regions reduced promoter activity to the basal level. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays demonstrated that the P5-2 fragment (-1793 to -1744) interacted with at least two nuclear factors, i.e. HNF-4 and Sp1/Sp3. Co-transfection experiments using Drosophila SL2 cells revealed that HNF-4 and Sp1/Sp3 synergistically stimulated the enhancer activity of the P5-2 fragment. These results indicate that co-operation of HNF-4 with Sp1 or Sp3 leads to the activation of hHO-1 gene expression in hepatoma cells.

  8. Serine 363 of a hydrophobic region of Archaeal ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from Archaeoglobus fulgidus and Thermococcus kodakaraensis affects CO 2/O 2 substrate specificity and oxygen sensitivity

    DOE PAGES

    Kreel, Nathan E.; Tabita, F. Robert; Berg, Ivan

    2015-09-18

    Archaeal ribulose 1, 5-bisphospate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) is differentiated from other RubisCO enzymes and is classified as a form III enzyme, as opposed to the form I and form II RubisCOs typical of chemoautotrophic bacteria and prokaryotic and eukaryotic phototrophs. The form III enzyme from archaea is particularly interesting as several of these proteins exhibit unusual and reversible sensitivity to molecular oxygen, including the enzyme from Archaeoglobus fulgidus. Previous studies with A. fulgidus RbcL2 had shown the importance of Met-295 in oxygen sensitivity and pointed towards the potential significance of another residue (Ser-363) found in a hydrophobic pocket that is conservedmore » in all RubisCO proteins. In the current study, further structure/function studies have been performed focusing on Ser-363 of A. fulgidus RbcL2; various changes in this and other residues of the hydrophobic pocket point to and definitively establish the importance of Ser-363 with respect to interactions with oxygen. In addition, previous findings had indicated discrepant CO 2/O 2 specificity determinations of the Thermococcus kodakaraensis RubisCO, a close homolog of A. fulgidus RbcL2. As a result, it is shown here that the T. kodakaraensis enzyme exhibits a similar substrate specificity as the A. fulgidus enzyme and is also oxygen sensitive, with equivalent residues involved in oxygen interactions.« less

  9. Upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 protected against brain damage induced by transient cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

    PubMed

    Lu, Xiufang; Gu, Renjun; Hu, Weimin; Sun, Zhitang; Wang, Gaiqing; Wang, Li; Xu, Yuming

    2018-06-01

    The aim of the present study was to identify the effect of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 gene on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into four groups: Sham group, vehicle group, empty adenovirus vector (Ad) group and recombinant HO-1 adenovirus (Ad-HO-1) transfection group. Rats in the vehicle, Ad and Ad-HO-1 groups were respectively injected with saline, Ad or Ad-HO-1 for 3 days prior to cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Subsequently, the middle cerebral artery occlusion method was used to establish the model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Following the assessment of neurological function, rats were sacrificed, and the infarction volume and apoptotic index in rat brains were measured. Furthermore, the protein expression levels of HO-1 in brain tissues were detected using western blot analysis. Results indicated that the neurological score of the Ad-HO-1 group was significantly increased compared with the Ad or vehicle groups, respectively (P<0.001). The volume of cerebral infarction and the index score of neuronal apoptosis in the vehicle and Ad groups was significantly increased compared with the Ad-HO-1 group (P<0.01). The death of neuronal cells following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury reduced remarkably induced by over-expression of HO-1. These findings suggest a neuroprotective role of HO-1 against brain injury induced by transient cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

  10. Cloning and developmental expression of pea ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit N-methyltransferase

    DOEpatents

    Houtz, Robert L.

    1998-01-01

    The gene sequence for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (LS) .epsilon.N-methyltransferase (protein methylase III or Rubisco LSMT) is disclosed. This enzyme catalyzes methylation of the .epsilon.-amine of lysine-14 in the large subunit of Rubisco. In addition, a full-length cDNA clone for Rubisco LSMT is disclosed. Transgenic plants and methods of producing same which (1) have the Rubisco LSMT gene inserted into the DNA, and (2) have the Rubisco LSMT gene product or the action of the gene product deleted from the DNA are also provided. Further, methods of using the gene to selectively deliver desired agents to a plant are also disclosed.

  11. Cloning and developmental expression of pea ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit epsilon N-methyltransferase

    DOEpatents

    Houtz, Robert L.

    1999-01-01

    The gene sequence for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (LS) .sup..epsilon. N-methyltransferase (protein methylase III or Rubisco LSMT) is disclosed. This enzyme catalyzes methylation of the .epsilon.-amine of lysine-14 in the large subunit of Rubisco. In addition, a full-length cDNA clone for Rubisco LSMT is disclosed. Transgenic plants and methods of producing same which (1) have the Rubisco LSMT gene inserted into the DNA, and (2) have the Rubisco LSMT gene product or the action of the gene product deleted from the DNA are also provided. Further, methods of using the gene to selectively deliver desired agents to a plant are also disclosed.

  12. Cloning and developmental expression of pea ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit N-methyltransferase

    DOEpatents

    Houtz, R.L.

    1998-03-03

    The gene sequence for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (LS) {epsilon}N-methyltransferase (protein methylase III or Rubisco LSMT) is disclosed. This enzyme catalyzes methylation of the {epsilon}-amine of lysine-14 in the large subunit of Rubisco. In addition, a full-length cDNA clone for Rubisco LSMT is disclosed. Transgenic plants and methods of producing same which (1) have the Rubisco LSMT gene inserted into the DNA, and (2) have the Rubisco LSMT gene product or the action of the gene product deleted from the DNA are also provided. Further, methods of using the gene to selectively deliver desired agents to a plant are also disclosed. 5 figs.

  13. Cloning and developmental expression of pea ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit epsilon N-methyltransferase

    DOEpatents

    Houtz, R.L.

    1999-02-02

    The gene sequence for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (LS){sup {epsilon}}N-methyltransferase (protein methylase III or Rubisco LSMT) is disclosed. This enzyme catalyzes methylation of the {epsilon}-amine of lysine-14 in the large subunit of Rubisco. In addition, a full-length cDNA clone for Rubisco LSMT is disclosed. Transgenic plants and methods of producing same which (1) have the Rubisco LSMT gene inserted into the DNA, and (2) have the Rubisco LSMT gene product or the action of the gene product deleted from the DNA are also provided. Further, methods of using the gene to selectively deliver desired agents to a plant are also disclosed. 8 figs.

  14. Regulation of ROS Production and Vascular Function by Carbon Monoxide

    PubMed Central

    Choi, Yoon Kyung; Por, Elaine D.; Kwon, Young-Guen; Kim, Young-Myeong

    2012-01-01

    Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gaseous molecule produced from heme by heme oxygenase (HO). CO interacts with reduced iron of heme-containing proteins, leading to its involvement in various cellular events via its production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). CO-mediated ROS production initiates intracellular signal events, which regulate the expression of adaptive genes implicated in oxidative stress and functions as signaling molecule for promoting vascular functions, including angiogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis. Therefore, CO generated either by exogenous delivery or by HO activity can be fundamentally involved in regulating mitochondria-mediated redox cascades for adaptive gene expression and improving blood circulation (i.e., O2 delivery) via neovascularization, leading to the regulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism. This paper will highlight the biological effects of CO on ROS generation and cellular redox changes involved in mitochondrial metabolism and angiogenesis. Moreover, cellular mechanisms by which CO is exploited for disease prevention and therapeutic applications will also be discussed. PMID:22928087

  15. Polypyrrole membranes as scaffolds for biomolecule immobilization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hery, Travis M.; Satagopan, Sriram; Northcutt, Robert G.; Tabita, F. Robert; Sundaresan, Vishnu-Baba

    2016-12-01

    Enzymes have evolved over hundreds of years through changes in ecosystems (climate, atmosphere, hydrology, etc). The evolutionary changes driven by the need to survive has led to enzymes with diverse functionality such as reduction of carbon dioxide and methane to other forms of carbon, fixation of nitrogen, and high temperature biochemical processes. While these enzymes have useful properties, engineering a scalable cell-free system with these enzymes will be useful for stable production of desired products without involving the vagaries of cellular metabolism. This article presents various approaches to incorporate ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) in a conducting polymer (polypyrrole (PPy)) doped with a bulky anion (dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS)) in an effort to create functional devices for the conversion of carbon dioxide into precursors for high-value chemicals. We demonstrate that the tailored device creates an environment where the enzyme can retain its function while being protected from denaturing conditions. It is envisioned that the 3-PGA produced by RuBisCO will be converted into value-added products.

  16. Identification and characterization of multiple rubisco activases in chemoautotrophic bacteria

    PubMed Central

    Tsai, Yi-Chin Candace; Lapina, Maria Claribel; Bhushan, Shashi; Mueller-Cajar, Oliver

    2015-01-01

    Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco) is responsible for almost all biological CO2 assimilation, but forms inhibited complexes with its substrate ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) and other sugar phosphates. The distantly related AAA+ proteins rubisco activase and CbbX remodel inhibited rubisco complexes to effect inhibitor release in plants and α-proteobacteria, respectively. Here we characterize a third class of rubisco activase in the chemolithoautotroph Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Two sets of isoforms of CbbQ and CbbO form hetero-oligomers that function as specific activases for two structurally diverse rubisco forms. Mutational analysis supports a model wherein the AAA+ protein CbbQ functions as motor and CbbO is a substrate adaptor that binds rubisco via a von Willebrand factor A domain. Understanding the mechanisms employed by nature to overcome rubisco's shortcomings will increase our toolbox for engineering photosynthetic carbon dioxide fixation. PMID:26567524

  17. Selectivity of substrate binding and ionization of 2-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine-5-carboxylic acid oxygenase.

    PubMed

    Luanloet, Thikumporn; Sucharitakul, Jeerus; Chaiyen, Pimchai

    2015-08-01

    2-Methyl-3-hydroxypyridine-5-carboxylic acid (MHPC) oxygenase (EC 1.14.12.4) from Pseudomonas sp. MA-1 is a flavin-dependent monooxygenase that catalyzes a hydroxylation and aromatic ring cleavage reaction. The functional roles of two residues, Tyr223 and Tyr82, located ~ 5 Å away from MHPC, were characterized using site-directed mutagenesis, along with ligand binding, product analysis and transient kinetic experiments. Mutation of Tyr223 resulted in enzyme variants that were impaired in their hydroxylation activity and had Kd values for substrate binding 5-10-fold greater than the wild-type enzyme. Because this residue is adjacent to the water molecule that is located next to the 3-hydroxy group of MHPC, the results indicate that the interaction between Tyr223, H2 O and the 3-hydroxyl group of MHPC are important for substrate binding and hydroxylation. By contrast, the Kd for substrate binding of Tyr82His and Tyr82Phe variants were similar to that of the wild-type enzyme. However, only ~ 40-50% of the substrate was hydroxylated in the reactions of both variants, whereas most of the substrate was hydroxylated in the wild-type enzyme reaction. In free solution, MHPC or 5-hydroxynicotinic acid exists in a mixture of monoanionic and tripolar ionic forms, whereas only the tripolar ionic form binds to the wild-type enzyme. The binding of tripolar ionic MHPC would allow efficient hydroxylation through an electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism. For the Tyr82His and Tyr82Phe variants, both forms of substrates can bind to the enzymes, indicating that the mutation at Tyr82 abolished the selectivity of the enzyme towards the tripolar ionic form. Transient kinetic studies indicated that the hydroxylation rate constants of both Tyr82 variants are approximately two- to 2.5-fold higher than that of the wild-type enzyme. Altogether, our findings suggest that Tyr82 is important for the binding selectivity of MHPC oxygenase towards the tripolar ionic species, whereas the interaction between Tyr223 and the substrate is important for ensuring hydroxylation. These results highlight how the active site of a flavoenzyme is able to deal with the presence of multiple forms of a substrate in solution and ensure efficient hydroxylation. © 2015 FEBS.

  18. First-dose analgesic effect of the cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitor lumiracoxib in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison with celecoxib [NCT00267215

    PubMed Central

    Wittenberg, Ralf H; Schell, Ernest; Krehan, Gerhard; Maeumbaed, Roland; Runge, Hans; Schlüter, Peter; Fashola, Taiwo OA; Thurston, Helen J; Burger, Klaus J; Trechsel, Ulrich

    2006-01-01

    Cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitors are frequently used to manage osteoarthritis. We compared the analgesic efficacy of the novel cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitor lumiracoxib (Prexige®) versus placebo and celecoxib in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This seven day, double-blind, placebo and active comparator controlled, parallel group study included 364 patients aged ≥50 years with moderate-to-severe symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Patients received lumiracoxib 400 mg/day (four times the recommended chronic dose in osteoarthritis; n = 144), placebo (n = 75), or celecoxib 200 mg twice daily (n = 145). The primary variable was actual pain intensity difference (100 mm visual–analogue scale) between baseline and the mean of three hour and five hour assessments after the first dose. Actual pain intensity difference, average and worst pain, pain relief and functional status (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC™]) were measured over seven days. Patients also completed a global evaluation of treatment effect at study end or premature discontinuation. For the primary variable, the superiority of lumiracoxib versus placebo, the noninferiority of lumiracoxib versus celecoxib, and the superiority of lumiracoxib versus celecoxib were assessed by closed test procedure adjusting for multiplicity, thereby maintaining the overall 5% significance level. In addition, celecoxib was assessed versus placebo in a predefined exploratory manner to assess trial sensitivity. Lumiracoxib provided better analgesia than placebo 3–5 hours after the first dose (P = 0.004) through to study end. The estimated difference between lumiracoxib and celecoxib 3–5 hours after the first dose was not significant (P = 0.185). Celecoxib was not significantly different from placebo in this analysis (P = 0.069). At study end 13.9% of lumiracoxib-treated patients reported complete pain relief versus 5.5% and 5.3% of celecoxib and placebo recipients, respectively. WOMAC™ total and subscales improved for both active treatments versus placebo except for difficulty in performing daily activities, for which celecoxib just failed to achieve significance (P = 0.056). In the patient's global evaluation of treatment effect, 58.1% of patients receiving lumiracoxib rated treatment as 'excellent' or 'good', versus 48.6% of celecoxib and 25.3% of placebo patients. Lumiracoxib was well tolerated. The overall incidence of adverse events was similar across treatment groups. PMID:16469112

  19. Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction Improves Cardiac Function following Myocardial Ischemia by Reducing Oxidative Stress

    PubMed Central

    Issan, Yossi; Kornowski, Ran; Aravot, Dan; Shainberg, Asher; Laniado-Schwartzman, Michal; Sodhi, Komal; Abraham, Nader G.; Hochhauser, Edith

    2014-01-01

    Background Oxidative stress plays a key role in exacerbating diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a stress response protein, is cytoprotective, but its role in post myocardial infarction (MI) and diabetes is not fully characterized. We aimed to investigate the protection and the mechanisms of HO-1 induction in cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia and in diabetic mice subjected to LAD ligation. Methods In vitro: cultured cardiomyocytes were treated with cobalt-protoporphyrin (CoPP) and tin protoporphyrin (SnPP) prior to hypoxic stress. In vivo: CoPP treated streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were subjected to LAD ligation for 2/24 h. Cardiac function, histology, biochemical damage markers and signaling pathways were measured. Results HO-1 induction lowered release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phospho kinase (CK), decreased propidium iodide staining, improved cell morphology and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential in cardiomyocytes. In diabetic mice, Fractional Shortening (FS) was lower than non-diabetic mice (35±1%vs.41±2, respectively p<0.05). CoPP-treated diabetic animals improved cardiac function (43±2% p<0.01), reduced CK, Troponin T levels and infarct size compared to non-treated diabetic mice (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.01 respectively). CoPP-enhanced HO-1 protein levels and reduced oxidative stress in diabetic animals, as indicated by the decrease in superoxide levels in cardiac tissues and plasma TNFα levels (p<0.05). The increased levels of HO-1 by CoPP treatment after LAD ligation led to a shift of the Bcl-2/bax ratio towards the antiapoptotic process (p<0.05). CoPP significantly increased the expression levels of pAKT and pGSK3β (p<0.05) in cardiomyocytes and in diabetic mice with MI. SnPP abolished CoPP's cardioprotective effects. Conclusions HO-1 induction plays a role in cardioprotection against hypoxic damage in cardiomyocytes and in reducing post ischemic cardiac damage in the diabetic heart as proved by the increased levels of pAKT with a concomitant inhibition of pGSK3β leading to preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. PMID:24658657

  20. Primary care physician perceptions of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and aspirin-associated toxicity: results of a national survey.

    PubMed

    Chey, W D; Eswaren, S; Howden, C W; Inadomi, J M; Fendrick, A M; Scheiman, J M

    2006-03-01

    To assess primary care physician perceptions of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and aspirin-associated toxicity. A group of gastroenterologists and internal medicine physicians created a survey, which was administered via the Internet to a large number of primary care physicians from across the US. One thousand primary care physicians participated. Almost one-third of primary care physicians recommended 325 mg rather than 81 mg of aspirin/day for cardioprotection. Fifty-nine percent thought enteric-coated or buffered aspirin reduced the risk of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Seventy-six percent believed that Helicobacter pylori infection increased the risk of NSAID ulcers but fewer than 25% tested NSAID users for this infection. More than two-thirds were aware that aspirin co-therapy decreased the GI safety benefits of the cyclo-oxygenase 2 selective NSAIDs. However, 84% felt that aspirin with a cyclo-oxygenase 2 selective NSAID was safer than aspirin with a non-selective NSAID. When presented a patient at high risk for NSAID-related GI toxicity, almost 50% of primary care physicians recommended a proton pump inhibitor and cyclo-oxygenase 2 selective NSAID. This survey has identified areas of misinformation regarding the risk-benefit of NSAIDs and aspirin and the utilization of gastroprotective strategies. Further education on NSAIDs for primary care physicians is warranted.

  1. Influence of para-substituents on the oxidative metabolism of o-nitrophenols by Pseudomonas putida B2.

    PubMed Central

    Zeyer, J; Kocher, H P; Timmis, K N

    1986-01-01

    Pseudomonas putida B2 is able to grow on o-nitrophenol (ONP) as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. ONP was converted by a nitrophenol oxygenase to nitrite and catechol. Catechol was then attacked by a catechol 1,2-dioxygenase and further degraded through an ortho-cleavage pathway. ONP derivatives which were para-substituted with a methyl-, chloro-, carboxy-, formyl- or nitro-group failed to support growth of strain B2. Relevant catabolic enzymes were characterized to analyze why these derivatives were not mineralized. Nitrophenol oxygenase of strain B2 is a soluble, NADPH-dependent enzyme that is stimulated by magnesium, manganese, and calcium ions. It is active toward ONP, 4-methyl-, 4-chloro-, and to a lesser extent, 4-formyl-ONP but not toward 4-carboxy- or 4-nitro-ONP. In addition, 4-formyl-, 4-carboxy-, and 4-nitro-ONP failed to induce the formation of nitrophenol oxygenase. Catechol 1,2-dioxygenase of strain B2 is active toward catechol and 4-methyl-catechol but only poorly active toward chlorinated catechols. 4-Methyl-catechol is likely to be degraded to methyl-lactones, which are often dead-end metabolites in bacteria. Thus, of the compounds tested, only unsubstituted ONP acts as an inducer and substrate for all of the enzymes of a productive catabolic pathway. PMID:3752997

  2. Loss of heme oxygenase-1 accelerates mesodermal gene expressions during embryoid body development from mouse embryonic stem cells.

    PubMed

    Lai, Yan-Liang; Lin, Chen-Yu; Jiang, Wei-Cheng; Ho, Yen-Chun; Chen, Chung-Huang; Yet, Shaw-Fang

    2018-05-01

    Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is an inducible stress response protein and well known to protect cells and tissues against injury. Despite its important function in cytoprotection against physiological stress, the role of HO-1 in embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation remains largely unknown. We showed previously that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that lack HO-1 are more sensitive to oxidant stress-induced cell death and more prone to lose pluripotent markers upon LIF withdrawal. To elucidate the role of HO-1 in ESC differentiation and to rule out the controversy of potential gene flaws in iPS cells, we derived and established mouse HO-1 knockout ESC lines from HO-1 knockout blastocysts. Using wild type D3 and HO-1 knockout ESCs in the 3-dimensional embryoid body (EB) differentiation model, we showed that at an early time point during EB development, an absence of HO-1 led to enhanced ROS level, concomitant with increased expressions of master mesodermal regulator brachyury and endodermal marker GATA6. In addition, critical smooth muscle cell (SMC) transcription factor serum response factor and its coactivator myocardin were enhanced. Furthermore, HO-1 deficiency increased Smad2 in ESCs and EBs, revealing a role of HO-1 in controlling Smad2 level. Smad2 not only mediates mesendoderm differentiation of mouse ESCs but also SMC development. Collectively, loss of HO-1 resulted in higher level of mesodermal and SMC regulators, leading to accelerated and enhanced SMC marker SM α-actin expression. Our results reveal a previously unrecognized function of HO-1 in regulating SMC gene expressions during ESC-EB development. More importantly, our findings may provide a novel strategy in enhancing ESC differentiation toward SMC lineage. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Heme oxygenase-1-mediated autophagy protects against pulmonary endothelial cell death and development of emphysema in cadmium-treated mice

    PubMed Central

    Surolia, Ranu; Karki, Suman; Kim, Hyunki; Yu, Zhihong; Kulkarni, Tejaswini; Mirov, Sergey B.; Carter, A. Brent; Rowe, Steven M.; Matalon, Sadis; Thannickal, Victor J.; Agarwal, Anupam

    2015-01-01

    Pulmonary exposure to cadmium, a major component of cigarette smoke, has a dramatic impact on lung function and the development of emphysema. Cigarette smoke exposure induces heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a cytoprotective enzyme. In this study, we employed a truncated mouse model of emphysema by intratracheal instillation of cadmium (CdCl2) solution (0.025% per 1 mg/kg body wt) in HO-1+/+, HO-1−/−, and overexpressing humanized HO-1 bacterial artificial chromosome (hHO-1BAC) mice. We evaluated the role of HO-1 in cadmium-induced emphysema in mice by analyzing histopathology, micro-computed tomography scans, and lung function tests. CdCl2-exposed HO-1−/− mice exhibited more severe emphysema compared with HO-1+/+ or hHO-1BAC mice. Loss of pulmonary endothelial cells (PECs) from the alveolar capillary membrane is recognized to be a target in emphysema. PECs from HO-1+/+, HO-1−/−, and hHO-1BAC were employed to define the underlying molecular mechanism for the protection from emphysema by HO-1. Electron microscopy, expression of autophagic markers (microtubule-associated protein 1B-light chain 3 II, autophagy protein 5, and Beclin1) and apoptotic marker (cleaved caspase 3) suggested induction of autophagy and apoptosis in PECs after CdCl2 treatment. CdCl2-treated HO-1−/− PECs exhibited downregulation of autophagic markers and significantly increased cleaved caspase 3 expression and activity (∼4-fold higher). Moreover, hHO-1BAC PECs demonstrated upregulated autophagy and absence of cleaved caspase 3 expression or activity. Pretreatment of HO-1+/+ PECs with rapamycin induced autophagy and resulted in reduced cell death upon cadmium treatment. Induction of autophagy following CdCl2 treatment was found to be protective from apoptotic cell death. HO-1 induced protective autophagy in PECs and mitigated cadmium-induced emphysema. PMID:26071551

  4. Heme oxygenase-1-mediated autophagy protects against pulmonary endothelial cell death and development of emphysema in cadmium-treated mice.

    PubMed

    Surolia, Ranu; Karki, Suman; Kim, Hyunki; Yu, Zhihong; Kulkarni, Tejaswini; Mirov, Sergey B; Carter, A Brent; Rowe, Steven M; Matalon, Sadis; Thannickal, Victor J; Agarwal, Anupam; Antony, Veena B

    2015-08-01

    Pulmonary exposure to cadmium, a major component of cigarette smoke, has a dramatic impact on lung function and the development of emphysema. Cigarette smoke exposure induces heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a cytoprotective enzyme. In this study, we employed a truncated mouse model of emphysema by intratracheal instillation of cadmium (CdCl2) solution (0.025% per 1 mg/kg body wt) in HO-1(+/+), HO-1(-/-), and overexpressing humanized HO-1 bacterial artificial chromosome (hHO-1BAC) mice. We evaluated the role of HO-1 in cadmium-induced emphysema in mice by analyzing histopathology, micro-computed tomography scans, and lung function tests. CdCl2-exposed HO-1(-/-) mice exhibited more severe emphysema compared with HO-1(+/+) or hHO-1BAC mice. Loss of pulmonary endothelial cells (PECs) from the alveolar capillary membrane is recognized to be a target in emphysema. PECs from HO-1(+/+), HO-1(-/-), and hHO-1BAC were employed to define the underlying molecular mechanism for the protection from emphysema by HO-1. Electron microscopy, expression of autophagic markers (microtubule-associated protein 1B-light chain 3 II, autophagy protein 5, and Beclin1) and apoptotic marker (cleaved caspase 3) suggested induction of autophagy and apoptosis in PECs after CdCl2 treatment. CdCl2-treated HO-1(-/-) PECs exhibited downregulation of autophagic markers and significantly increased cleaved caspase 3 expression and activity (∼4-fold higher). Moreover, hHO-1BAC PECs demonstrated upregulated autophagy and absence of cleaved caspase 3 expression or activity. Pretreatment of HO-1(+/+) PECs with rapamycin induced autophagy and resulted in reduced cell death upon cadmium treatment. Induction of autophagy following CdCl2 treatment was found to be protective from apoptotic cell death. HO-1 induced protective autophagy in PECs and mitigated cadmium-induced emphysema. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

  5. Cerebroprotection of Flavanol (−)-Epicatechin after Traumatic Brain Injury via Nrf2-dependent and –independent Pathways

    PubMed Central

    Cheng, Tian; Wang, Wenzhu; Li, Qian; Han, Xiaoning; Xing, Jing; Qi, Cunfang; Lan, Xi; Wan, Jieru; Potts, Alexa; Guan, Fangxia; Wang, Jian

    2016-01-01

    Traumatic brain injury (TBI), which leads to disability, dysfunction, and even death, is a prominent health problem worldwide with no effective treatment. A brain-permeable flavonoid named (−)-epicatechin (EC) modulates redox/oxidative stress and has been shown to be beneficial for vascular and cognitive function in humans and for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in rodents. Here we examined whether EC is able to protect the brain against TBI-induced brain injury in mice and if so, whether it exerts neuroprotection by modulating the NF-E2-related factor (Nrf2) pathway. We used the controlled cortical impact model to mimic TBI. EC was administered orally at 3 h after TBI and then every 24 h for either 3 or 7 days. We evaluated lesion volume, brain edema, white matter injury, neurologic deficits, cognitive performance and emotion-like behaviors, neutrophil infiltration, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and a variety of injury-related protein markers. Nrf2 knockout mice were used to determine the role of the Nrf2 signaling pathway after EC treatment. In wild-type mice, EC significantly reduced lesion volume, edema, and cell death and improved neurologic function on days 3 and 28; cognitive performance and depression-like behaviors were also improved with EC administration. In addition, EC reduced white matter injury, heme oxygenase-1 expression, and ferric iron deposition after TBI. These changes were accompanied by attenuation of neutrophil infiltration and oxidative insults, reduced activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9, decreased Keap 1 expression, increased Nrf2 nuclear accumulation, and increased expression of superoxide dismutase 1 and quinone 1. However, EC did not significantly reduce lesion volume or improve neurologic deficits in Nrf2 knockout mice after TBI. Our results show that EC protects the TBI brain by activating the Nrf2 pathway, inhibiting heme oxygenase-1 protein expression, and reducing iron deposition. The latter two effects could represent an Nrf2-independent mechanism in this model of TBI. PMID:26724590

  6. Active site architecture of a sugar N-oxygenase.

    PubMed

    Thoden, James B; Branch, Megan C; Zimmer, Alex L; Bruender, Nathan A; Holden, Hazel M

    2013-05-14

    KijD3 is a flavin-dependent N-oxygenase implicated in the formation of the nitro-containing sugar d-kijanose, found attached to the antibiotic kijanimicin. For this investigation, the structure of KijD3 in complex with FMN and its dTDP-sugar substrate was solved to 2.1 Å resolution. In contrast to the apoenzyme structure, the C-terminus of the protein becomes ordered and projects into the active site cleft [Bruender, N. A., Thoden, J. B., and Holden, H. M. (2010) Biochemistry 49, 3517-3524]. The amino group of the dTDP-aminosugar that is oxidized is located 4.9 Å from C4a of the flavin ring. The model provides a molecular basis for understanding the manner in which KijD3 catalyzes its unusual chemical transformation.

  7. Heme Oxygenase-1 Promotes Delayed Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Qing-Ying; Wang, Guo-Guang; Li, Wei; Jiang, Yu-Xin; Lu, Xiao-Hua; Zhou, Ping-Ping

    2016-01-01

    Diabetic ulcers are one of the most serious and costly chronic complications for diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress may play an important role in diabetes and its complications. The aim of the study was to explore the effect of heme oxygenase-1 on wound closure in diabetic rats. Diabetic wound model was prepared by making an incision with full thickness in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Wounds from diabetic rats were treated with 10% hemin ointment for 21 days. Increase of HO-1 protein expression enhanced anti-inflammation and antioxidant in diabetic rats. Furthermore, HO-1 increased the levels of VEGF and ICAM-1 and expressions of CBS and CSE protein. In summary, HO-1 promoted the wound closure by augmenting anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and angiogenesis in diabetic rats. PMID:26798657

  8. Benefit of pulsation in soft corals

    PubMed Central

    Kremien, Maya; Shavit, Uri; Mass, Tali; Genin, Amatzia

    2013-01-01

    Soft corals of the family Xeniidae exhibit a unique, rhythmic pulsation of their tentacles (Movie S1), first noted by Lamarck nearly 200 y ago. However, the adaptive benefit of this perpetual, energetically costly motion is poorly understood. Using in situ underwater particle image velocimetry, we found that the pulsation motions thrust water upward and enhance mixing across the coral–water boundary layer. The induced upward motion effectively prevents refiltration of water by neighboring polyps, while the intensification of mixing, together with the upward flow, greatly enhances the coral’s photosynthesis. A series of controlled laboratory experiments with the common xeniid coral Heteroxenia fuscescens showed that the net photosynthesis rate during pulsation was up to an order of magnitude higher than during the coral’s resting, nonpulsating state. This enhancement diminished when the concentration of oxygen in the ambient water was artificially raised, indicating that the enhancement of photosynthesis was due to a greater efflux of oxygen from the coral tissues. By lowering the internal oxygen concentration, pulsation alleviates the problem of reduced affinity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (RuBisCO) to CO2 under conditions of high oxygen concentrations. The photosynthesis–respiration ratio of the pulsating H. fuscescens was markedly higher than the ratios reported for nonpulsating soft and stony corals. Although pulsation is commonly used for locomotion and filtration in marine mobile animals, its occurrence in sessile (bottom-attached) species is limited to members of the ancient phylum Cnidaria, where it is used to accelerate water and enhance physiological processes. PMID:23610420

  9. Benefit of pulsation in soft corals.

    PubMed

    Kremien, Maya; Shavit, Uri; Mass, Tali; Genin, Amatzia

    2013-05-28

    Soft corals of the family Xeniidae exhibit a unique, rhythmic pulsation of their tentacles (Movie S1), first noted by Lamarck nearly 200 y ago. However, the adaptive benefit of this perpetual, energetically costly motion is poorly understood. Using in situ underwater particle image velocimetry, we found that the pulsation motions thrust water upward and enhance mixing across the coral-water boundary layer. The induced upward motion effectively prevents refiltration of water by neighboring polyps, while the intensification of mixing, together with the upward flow, greatly enhances the coral's photosynthesis. A series of controlled laboratory experiments with the common xeniid coral Heteroxenia fuscescens showed that the net photosynthesis rate during pulsation was up to an order of magnitude higher than during the coral's resting, nonpulsating state. This enhancement diminished when the concentration of oxygen in the ambient water was artificially raised, indicating that the enhancement of photosynthesis was due to a greater efflux of oxygen from the coral tissues. By lowering the internal oxygen concentration, pulsation alleviates the problem of reduced affinity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (RuBisCO) to CO2 under conditions of high oxygen concentrations. The photosynthesis-respiration ratio of the pulsating H. fuscescens was markedly higher than the ratios reported for nonpulsating soft and stony corals. Although pulsation is commonly used for locomotion and filtration in marine mobile animals, its occurrence in sessile (bottom-attached) species is limited to members of the ancient phylum Cnidaria, where it is used to accelerate water and enhance physiological processes.

  10. Prolonged Neutrophil Dysfunction Following Plasmodium falciparum Malaria is Related to Hemolysis and Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction1

    PubMed Central

    Cunnington, Aubrey J.; Njie, Madi; Correa, Simon; Takem, Ebako N.; Riley, Eleanor M.; Walther, Michael

    2012-01-01

    It is not known why people are more susceptible to bacterial infections such as non-Typhoid Salmonella (NTS) during and after a malaria infection but, in mice, malarial hemolysis impairs resistance to NTS by impairing the neutrophil oxidative burst. This acquired neutrophil dysfunction is a consequence of induction of the cytoprotective, heme degrading enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in neutrophil progenitors in bone marrow. In this study, we assessed whether neutrophil dysfunction occurs in humans with malaria and how this relates to hemolysis. We evaluated neutrophil function in 58 Gambian children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria (55 (95%) with uncomplicated disease), and examined associations with erythrocyte count, haptoglobin, hemopexin, plasma heme, expression of receptors for heme uptake, and HO-1 induction. Malaria caused the appearance of a dominant population of neutrophils with reduced oxidative burst activity, which gradually normalized over 8 weeks of follow-up. The degree of neutrophil impairment correlated significantly with markers of hemolysis and HO-1 induction. HO-1 expression was increased in blood during acute malaria, but at a cellular level HO-1 expression was modulated by changes in surface expression of the haptoglobin receptor (CD163). These findings demonstrate that neutrophil dysfunction occurs in P. falciparum malaria and support the relevance of the mechanistic studies in mice. Furthermore, they suggest the presence of a regulatory pathway to limit HO-1 induction by hemolysis in the context of infection, and indicate new targets for therapeutic intervention to abrogate the susceptibility to bacterial infection in the context of hemolysis in humans. PMID:23100518

  11. Sulforaphane alleviates muscular dystrophy in mdx mice by activation of Nrf2.

    PubMed

    Sun, Chengcao; Yang, Cuili; Xue, Ruilin; Li, Shujun; Zhang, Ting; Pan, Lei; Ma, Xuejiao; Wang, Liang; Li, Dejia

    2015-01-15

    Sulforaphane (SFN), one of the most important isothiocyanates in the human diet, is known to have chemo-preventive and antioxidant activities in different tissues via activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated induction of antioxidant/phase II enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1. However, its effects on muscular dystrophy remain unknown. This work was undertaken to evaluate the effects of SFN on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Four-week-old mdx mice were treated with SFN by gavage (2 mg·kg body wt(-1)·day(-1) for 8 wk), and our results demonstrated that SFN treatment increased the expression and activity of muscle phase II enzymes NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 and heme oxygenase-1 with a Nrf2-dependent manner. SFN significantly increased skeletal muscle mass, muscle force (∼30%), running distance (∼20%), and GSH-to-GSSG ratio (∼3.2-fold) of mdx mice and decreased the activities of plasma creatine phosphokinase (∼45%) and lactate dehydrogenase (∼40%), gastrocnemius hypertrophy (∼25%), myocardial hypertrophy (∼20%), and malondialdehyde levels (∼60%). Furthermore, SFN treatment also reduced the central nucleation (∼40%), fiber size variability, and inflammation and improved the sarcolemmal integrity of mdx mice. Collectively, these results show that SFN can improve muscle function and pathology and protect dystrophic muscle from oxidative damage in mdx mice associated with Nrf2 signaling pathway, which indicate Nrf2 may have clinical implications for the treatment of patients with muscular dystrophy. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

  12. Sulforaphane Attenuates Muscle Inflammation in Dystrophin-deficient mdx Mice via NF-E2-related Factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated Inhibition of NF-κB Signaling Pathway*

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Cheng-Cao; Li, Shu-Jun; Yang, Cui-Li; Xue, Rui-Lin; Xi, Yong-Yong; Wang, Liang; Zhao, Qian-Long; Li, De-Jia

    2015-01-01

    Inflammation is widely distributed in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and ultimately leads to progressive deterioration of muscle function with chronic muscle damage, oxidative stress, and reduced oxidative capacity. NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a critical role in defending against inflammation in different tissues via activation of phase II enzyme heme oxygenase-1 and inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. However, the role of Nrf2 in the inflammation of dystrophic muscle remains unknown. To determine whether Nrf2 may counteract inflammation in dystrophic muscle, we treated 4-week-old male mdx mice with the Nrf2 activator sulforaphane (SFN) by gavage (2 mg/kg of body weight/day) for 4 weeks. The experimental results demonstrated that SFN treatment increased the expression of muscle phase II enzyme heme oxygenase-1 in an Nrf2-dependent manner. Inflammation in mice was reduced by SFN treatment as indicated by decreased infiltration of immune cells and expression of the inflammatory cytokine CD45 and proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 in the skeletal muscles of mdx mice. In addition, SFN treatment also decreased the expression of NF-κB(p65) and phosphorylated IκB kinase-α as well as increased inhibitor of κB-α expression in mdx mice in an Nrf2-dependent manner. Collectively, these results show that SFN-induced Nrf2 can alleviate muscle inflammation in mdx mice by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. PMID:26013831

  13. Identification of Interactions between Abscisic Acid and Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase

    PubMed Central

    Galka, Marek M.; Rajagopalan, Nandhakishore; Buhrow, Leann M.; Nelson, Ken M.; Switala, Jacek; Cutler, Adrian J.; Palmer, David R. J.; Loewen, Peter C.; Abrams, Suzanne R.; Loewen, Michele C.

    2015-01-01

    Abscisic acid ((+)-ABA) is a phytohormone involved in the modulation of developmental processes and stress responses in plants. A chemical proteomics approach using an ABA mimetic probe was combined with in vitro assays, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), x-ray crystallography and in silico modelling to identify putative (+)-ABA binding-proteins in crude extracts of Arabidopsis thaliana. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) was identified as a putative ABA-binding protein. Radiolabelled-binding assays yielded a Kd of 47 nM for (+)-ABA binding to spinach Rubisco, which was validated by ITC, and found to be similar to reported and experimentally derived values for the native ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) substrate. Functionally, (+)-ABA caused only weak inhibition of Rubisco catalytic activity (Ki of 2.1 mM), but more potent inhibition of Rubisco activation (Ki of ~ 130 μM). Comparative structural analysis of Rubisco in the presence of (+)-ABA with RuBP in the active site revealed only a putative low occupancy (+)-ABA binding site on the surface of the large subunit at a location distal from the active site. However, subtle distortions in electron density in the binding pocket and in silico docking support the possibility of a higher affinity (+)-ABA binding site in the RuBP binding pocket. Overall we conclude that (+)-ABA interacts with Rubisco. While the low occupancy (+)-ABA binding site and weak non-competitive inhibition of catalysis may not be relevant, the high affinity site may allow ABA to act as a negative effector of Rubisco activation. PMID:26197050

  14. Identification of Interactions between Abscisic Acid and Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase.

    PubMed

    Galka, Marek M; Rajagopalan, Nandhakishore; Buhrow, Leann M; Nelson, Ken M; Switala, Jacek; Cutler, Adrian J; Palmer, David R J; Loewen, Peter C; Abrams, Suzanne R; Loewen, Michele C

    2015-01-01

    Abscisic acid ((+)-ABA) is a phytohormone involved in the modulation of developmental processes and stress responses in plants. A chemical proteomics approach using an ABA mimetic probe was combined with in vitro assays, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), x-ray crystallography and in silico modelling to identify putative (+)-ABA binding-proteins in crude extracts of Arabidopsis thaliana. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) was identified as a putative ABA-binding protein. Radiolabelled-binding assays yielded a Kd of 47 nM for (+)-ABA binding to spinach Rubisco, which was validated by ITC, and found to be similar to reported and experimentally derived values for the native ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) substrate. Functionally, (+)-ABA caused only weak inhibition of Rubisco catalytic activity (Ki of 2.1 mM), but more potent inhibition of Rubisco activation (Ki of ~ 130 μM). Comparative structural analysis of Rubisco in the presence of (+)-ABA with RuBP in the active site revealed only a putative low occupancy (+)-ABA binding site on the surface of the large subunit at a location distal from the active site. However, subtle distortions in electron density in the binding pocket and in silico docking support the possibility of a higher affinity (+)-ABA binding site in the RuBP binding pocket. Overall we conclude that (+)-ABA interacts with Rubisco. While the low occupancy (+)-ABA binding site and weak non-competitive inhibition of catalysis may not be relevant, the high affinity site may allow ABA to act as a negative effector of Rubisco activation.

  15. Rubisco Accumulation Factor 1 from Thermosynechococcus elongatus participates in the final stages of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase assembly in Escherichia coli cells and in vitro.

    PubMed

    Kolesinski, Piotr; Belusiak, Iwona; Czarnocki-Cieciura, Mariusz; Szczepaniak, Andrzej

    2014-09-01

    Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) biosynthesis is a multi-step process in which specific chaperones are involved. Recently, a novel polypeptide, Rubisco Accumulation Factor 1 (RAF1), has been identified as a protein that is necessary for proper assembly of this enzyme in maize cells (Zea mays). However, neither its specific function nor its mode of action have as yet been determined. The results presented here show that the prokaryotic homolog of RAF1 from Thermosynechococcus elongatus is expressed in cyanobacterial cells and interacts with a large Rubisco subunit (RbcL). Using a heterologous expression system, it was demonstrated that this protein promotes Rubisco assembly in Escherichia coli cells. Moreover, when co-expressed with RbcL alone, a stable RbcL-RAF1 complex is formed. Molecular mass determination for this Rubisco assembly intermediate by size-exclusion chromatography coupled with multi-angle light scattering indicates that it consists of an RbcL dimer and two RAF1 molecules. A purified RbcL-RAF1 complex dissociated upon addition of a small Rubisco subunit (RbcS), leading to formation of the active holoenzyme. Moreover, titration of the octameric (RbcL8) core of Rubisco with RAF1 results in disassembly of such a stucture and creation of an RbcL-RAF1 intermediate. The results presented here are the first attempt to elucidate the role of cyanobacterial Rubisco Accumulation Factor 1 in the Rubisco biosynthesis process. © 2014 FEBS.

  16. Caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptides enhance anti-inflammatory effect of heme oxygenase-1 through interrupting its interact with caveolin-1.

    PubMed

    Weng, Ping; Zhang, Xiao-Tong; Sheng, Qiong; Tian, Wen-Fang; Chen, Jun-Liang; Yuan, Jia-Jia; Zhang, Ji-Ru; Pang, Qing-Feng

    2017-06-20

    Caveolin-1(Cav-1) scaffolding domain (CSD) peptides compete with the plasma membrane Cav-1, inhibit the interaction of the proteins and Cav-1, and re-store the functions of Cav-1 binding proteins. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) binds to Cav-1 and its enzymatic activity was inhibited. In this study, we investigated the effect of CSD peptides on interaction between HO-1 and Cav-1, and on the HO-1 activity in vitro and in vivo. Our data showed that CSD peptides decreased the compartmentalization of HO-1 and Cav-1, and increased the HO-1 activity both in LPS-treated alveolar macrophages and in mice. Meanwhile, CSD peptides obviously ameliorated the pathology changes in mice and lowered the following injury indexes: the wet/dry ratio of lung tissues, total cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the serum. Mechanistically, it was firstly found that CSD peptides promoted alveolar macrophages polarization to M2 phenotype and inhibited the IκB degeneration. Furthermore, CSD peptides down-regulated the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, and iNOS in alveolar macrophages and in lung tissue. However, the protective role of CSD peptides on LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice could be abolished by zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP, a HO-1 activity inhibitor). In summary, CSD peptides have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects by restoring the HO-1 activity suppressed by Cav-1 on plasma membrane.

  17. Heme oxygenase-1: A new druggable target in the management of chronic and acute myeloid leukemia.

    PubMed

    Salerno, Loredana; Romeo, Giuseppe; Modica, Maria N; Amata, Emanuele; Sorrenti, Valeria; Barbagallo, Ignazio; Pittalà, Valeria

    2017-12-15

    Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is the enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting oxidative degradation of cellular heme into free iron, carbon monoxide (CO), and biliverdin, which is then rapidly converted into bilirubin. By means of these catabolic end-products and by removal of pro-oxidant heme, HO-1 exerts antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and immune-modulating effects, leading to overall cytoprotective and beneficial functions in mammalian cells. Therefore, HO-1 is considered a survival molecule in various stress-related conditions. By contrast, growing evidence suggests that HO-1 is a survival-enhancing molecule also in various solid and blood cancers, such as various types of leukemia, promoting carcinogenesis, tumor progression, and chemo-resistance. Among leukemias, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is currently therapeutically well treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as Imatinib (IM) and its congeners; nevertheless, resistance to all kinds of current drugs persist in a number of patients. Moreover, treatment outcomes for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain unsatisfactory, despite progress in chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Therefore, identification of new eligible targets that may improve leukemias therapy is of general interest. Several recent papers prove that inhibition of HO-1 through HO-1 inhibitors as well as modulation of other pathways involving HO-1 by a number of different new or known molecules, are critical for leukemia treatment. This review summarizes the current understanding of the pro-tumorigenic role of HO-1 and its potential as a molecular target for the treatment of leukemias. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  18. Comparative Proteomic Analysis of the Molecular Responses of Mouse Macrophages to Titanium Dioxide and Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Unravels Some Toxic Mechanisms for Copper Oxide Nanoparticles in Macrophages

    PubMed Central

    Triboulet, Sarah; Aude-Garcia, Catherine; Armand, Lucie; Collin-Faure, Véronique; Chevallet, Mireille; Diemer, Hélène; Gerdil, Adèle; Proamer, Fabienne; Strub, Jean-Marc; Habert, Aurélie; Herlin, Nathalie; Van Dorsselaer, Alain; Carrière, Marie; Rabilloud, Thierry

    2015-01-01

    Titanium dioxide and copper oxide nanoparticles are more and more widely used because of their catalytic properties, of their light absorbing properties (titanium dioxide) or of their biocidal properties (copper oxide), increasing the risk of adverse health effects. In this frame, the responses of mouse macrophages were studied. Both proteomic and targeted analyses were performed to investigate several parameters, such as phagocytic capacity, cytokine release, copper release, and response at sub toxic doses. Besides titanium dioxide and copper oxide nanoparticles, copper ions were used as controls. We also showed that the overall copper release in the cell does not explain per se the toxicity observed with copper oxide nanoparticles. In addition, both copper ion and copper oxide nanoparticles, but not titanium oxide, induced DNA strands breaks in macrophages. As to functional responses, the phagocytic capacity was not hampered by any of the treatments at non-toxic doses, while copper ion decreased the lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine and nitric oxide productions. The proteomic analyses highlighted very few changes induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles, but an induction of heme oxygenase, an increase of glutathione synthesis and a decrease of tetrahydrobiopterin in response to copper oxide nanoparticles. Subsequent targeted analyses demonstrated that the increase in glutathione biosynthesis and the induction of heme oxygenase (e.g. by lovastatin/monacolin K) are critical for macrophages to survive a copper challenge, and that the intermediates of the catecholamine pathway induce a strong cross toxicity with copper oxide nanoparticles and copper ions. PMID:25902355

  19. Effective use of heterologous hosts for characterization of biosynthetic enzymes allows production of natural products and promotes new natural product discovery.

    PubMed

    Watanabe, Kenji

    2014-01-01

    In the past few years, there has been impressive progress in elucidating the mechanism of biosynthesis of various natural products accomplished through the use of genetic, molecular biological and biochemical techniques. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of the current results from our studies on fungal natural product biosynthetic enzymes, including nonribosomal peptide synthetase and polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthetase hybrid synthetase, as well as auxiliary enzymes, such as methyltransferases and oxygenases. Specifically, biosynthesis of the following compounds is described in detail: (i) Sch210972, potentially involving a Diels-Alder reaction that may be catalyzed by CghA, a functionally unknown protein identified by targeted gene disruption in the wild type fungus; (ii) chaetoglobosin A, formed via multi-step oxidations catalyzed by three redox enzymes, one flavin-containing monooxygenase and two cytochrome P450 oxygenases as characterized by in vivo biotransformation of relevant intermediates in our engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae; (iii) (-)-ditryptophenaline, formed by a cytochrome P450, revealing the dimerization mechanism for the biosynthesis of diketopiperazine alkaloids; (iv) pseurotins, whose variations in the C- and O-methylations and the degree of oxidation are introduced combinatorially by multiple redox enzymes; and (v) spirotryprostatins, whose spiro-carbon moiety is formed by a flavin-containing monooxygenase or a cytochrome P450 as determined by heterologous de novo production of the biosynthetic intermediates and final products in Aspergillus niger. We close our discussion by summarizing some of the key techniques that have facilitated the discovery of new natural products, production of their analogs and identification of biosynthetic mechanisms in our study.

  20. Methamphetamine induces heme oxygenase-1 expression in cortical neurons and glia to prevent its toxicity

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

    Huang, Y.-N.; Wu, C.-H.; Department of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan 114

    2009-11-01

    The impairment of cognitive and motor functions in humans and animals caused by methamphetamine (METH) administration underscores the importance of METH toxicity in cortical neurons. The heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) exerts a cytoprotective effect against various neuronal injures; however, it remains unclear whether HO-1 is involved in METH-induced toxicity. We used primary cortical neuron/glia cocultures to explore the role of HO-1 in METH-induced toxicity. Exposure of cultured cells to various concentrations of METH (0.1, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 mM) led to cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. A METH concentration of 5 mM, which caused 50% of neuronal death andmore » glial activation, was chosen for subsequent experiments. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that METH significantly induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression, both preceded cell death. Double and triple immunofluorescence staining further identified HO-1-positive cells as activated astrocytes, microglia, and viable neurons, but not dying neurons. Inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway significantly blocked HO-1 induction by METH and aggravated METH neurotoxicity. Inhibition of HO activity using tin protoporphyrine IX significantly reduced HO activity and exacerbated METH neurotoxicity. However, prior induction of HO-1 using cobalt protoporphyrine IX partially protected neurons from METH toxicity. Taken together, our results suggest that induction of HO-1 by METH via the p38 signaling pathway may be protective, albeit insufficient to completely protect cortical neurons from METH toxicity.« less

  1. Transfection of the Human Heme Oxygenase Gene Into Rabbit Coronary Microvessel Endothelial Cells: Protective Effect Against Heme and Hemoglobin Toxicity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abraham, N. G.; Lavrovsky, Y.; Schwartzman, M. L.; Stoltz, R. A.; Levere, R. D.; Gerritsen, M. E.

    1995-07-01

    Heme oxygenase (HO) is a stress protein and has been suggested to participate in defense mechanisms against agents that may induce oxidative injury such as metals, endotoxin, heme/hemoglobin, and various cytokines. Overexpression of HO in cells might therefore protect against oxidative stress produced by certain of these agents, specifically heme and hemoglobin, by catalyzing their degradation to bilirubin, which itself has antioxidant properties. We report here the successful in vitro transfection of rabbit coronary microvessel endothelial cells with a functioning gene encoding the human HO enzyme. A plasmid containing the cytomegalovirus promoter and the human HO cDNA complexed to cationic liposomes (Lipofectin) was used to transfect rabbit endothelial cells. Cells transfected with human HO exhibited an ≈3.0-fold increase in enzyme activity and expressed a severalfold induction of human HO mRNA as compared with endogenous rabbit HO mRNA. Transfected and nontransfected cells expressed factor VIII antigen and exhibited similar acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake (two important features that characterize endothelial cells) with >85% of cells staining positive for each marker. Moreover, cells transfected with the human HO gene acquired substantial resistance to toxicity produced by exposure to recombinant hemoglobin and heme as compared with nontransfected cells. The protective effect of HO overexpression against heme/hemoglobin toxicity in endothelial cells shown in these studies provides direct evidence that the inductive response of human HO to such injurious stimuli represents an important tissue adaptive mechanism for moderating the severity of cell damage produced by these blood components.

  2. Celecoxib exerts protective effects in the vascular endothelium via COX-2-independent activation of AMPK-CREB-Nrf2 signalling.

    PubMed

    Al-Rashed, Fahad; Calay, Damien; Lang, Marie; Thornton, Clare C; Bauer, Andrea; Kiprianos, Allan; Haskard, Dorian O; Seneviratne, Anusha; Boyle, Joseph J; Schönthal, Alex H; Wheeler-Jones, Caroline P; Mason, Justin C

    2018-04-19

    Although concern remains about the athero-thrombotic risk posed by cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2-selective inhibitors, recent data implicates rofecoxib, while celecoxib appears equivalent to NSAIDs naproxen and ibuprofen. We investigated the hypothesis that celecoxib activates AMP kinase (AMPK) signalling to enhance vascular endothelial protection. In human arterial and venous endothelial cells (EC), and in contrast to ibuprofen and naproxen, celecoxib induced the protective protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Celecoxib derivative 2,5-dimethyl-celecoxib (DMC) which lacks COX-2 inhibition also upregulated HO-1, implicating a COX-2-independent mechanism. Celecoxib activated AMPKα (Thr172) and CREB-1 (Ser133) phosphorylation leading to Nrf2 nuclear translocation. Importantly, these responses were not reproduced by ibuprofen or naproxen, while AMPKα silencing abrogated celecoxib-mediated CREB and Nrf2 activation. Moreover, celecoxib induced H-ferritin via the same pathway, and increased HO-1 and H-ferritin in the aortic endothelium of mice fed celecoxib (1000 ppm) or control chow. Functionally, celecoxib inhibited TNF-α-induced NF-κB p65 (Ser536) phosphorylation by activating AMPK. This attenuated VCAM-1 upregulation via induction of HO-1, a response reproduced by DMC but not ibuprofen or naproxen. Similarly, celecoxib prevented IL-1β-mediated induction of IL-6. Celecoxib enhances vascular protection via AMPK-CREB-Nrf2 signalling, a mechanism which may mitigate cardiovascular risk in patients prescribed celecoxib. Understanding NSAID heterogeneity and COX-2-independent signalling will ultimately lead to safer anti-inflammatory drugs.

  3. Renal Liver-Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein (L-FABP) Attenuates Acute Kidney Injury in Aristolochic Acid Nephrotoxicity

    PubMed Central

    Matsui, Katsuomi; Kamijo-Ikemorif, Atsuko; Sugaya, Takeshi; Yasuda, Takashi; Kimura, Kenjiro

    2011-01-01

    Injection of aristolochic acid (AA) in mice causes AA-induced nephrotoxicity, in which oxidative stress contributes to development of tubulointerstitial damage (TID). Liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) is expressed in human proximal tubules and has an endogenous antioxidative function. The renoprotection of renal L-FABP was examined in a model of AA-induced nephrotoxicity. Established human L-FABP (hL-FABP) transgenic (Tg) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were treated with AA for up to 5 days. Mice were sacrificed on days 1, 3, and 5 after the start of AA injection. Although mouse L-FABP was not expressed in proximal tubules of WT mice, hL-FABP was expressed in proximal tubules of Tg mice. The expression of renal hL-FABP was significantly increased in Tg mice administered AA (Tg-AA), compared with the control (saline-treated Tg mice). In WT-AA mice, there was high urinary excretion of Nε-(hexanoyl)-lysine, the production of heme oxygenase-1 and receptor for advanced glycation end products increased, and TID was provoked. In contrast, renal hL-FABP in Tg-AA mice suppressed production of Nε-(hexanoyl)lysine, heme oxygenase-1, and receptor for advanced glycation end products. Renal dysfunction was significantly milder in Tg-AA mice than in WT-AA mice. The degree of TID was significantly attenuated in Tg-AA mice, compared with WT-AA. In conclusion, renal hL-FABP reduced the oxidative stress in AA-induced nephrotoxicity and attenuated TID. PMID:21356355

  4. Taraxacum coreanum protects against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity through heme oxygenase-1 expression in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells.

    PubMed

    Yoon, Chi-Su; Ko, Wonmin; Lee, Dong-Sung; Kim, Dong-Cheol; Kim, Jongsu; Choi, Moonbum; Beom, Jin Seon; An, Ren-Bo; Oh, Hyuncheol; Kim, Youn-Chul

    2017-04-01

    Taraxacum coreanum Nakai is a dandelion that is native to Korea, and is widely used as an edible and medicinal herb. The present study revealed the neuroprotective effect of this plant against glutamate-induced oxidative stress in HT22 murine hippocampal neuronal cells. Ethanolic extracts from the aerial (TCAE) and the root parts (TCRE) of T. coreanum were prepared. Both extracts were demonstrated, by high performance liquid chromatography, to contain caffeic acid and ferulic acid as representative constituents. TCAE and TCRE significantly increased cell viability against glutamate-induced oxidative stress in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. Western blot analysis revealed that treatment of HT22 cells with the extracts induced increased expression of the enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), compared with untreated cells, in a concentration-dependent manner. Increased HO-1 enzymatic activity, compared with untreated cells, was also demonstrated following treatment with TCAE and TCRE. In addition, western blot analysis of the nuclear fractions of both TCAE and TCRE-treated HT22 cells revealed increased levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2) compared with untreated cells, and decreased Nrf2 levels in the cytoplasmic fraction compared with untreated cells. The present study suggested that the neuroprotective effect of T. coreanum is associated with induction of HO-1 expression and Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus. Therefore, T. coreanum exhibits a promising function in prevention of neurodegeneration. Further studies will be required for the isolation and the full characterization of its active substances.

  5. Thrombosis and systemic and cardiac oxidative stress and DNA damage induced by pulmonary exposure to diesel exhaust particles and the effect of nootkatone thereon.

    PubMed

    Nemmar, Abderrahim; Al-Salam, Suhail; Beegam, Sumaya; Yuvaraju, Priya; Ali, Badreldin H

    2018-05-01

    Adverse cardiovascular effects of particulate air pollution persist even at lower concentrations than those of the current air quality limit. Therefore, identification of safe and effective measures against particle-induced cardiovascular toxicity is needed. Nootkatone is a sesquiterpenoid in grapefruit with diverse bioactivities including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, its protective effect on the cardiovascular injury induced by diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) has not been studied before. We assessed the possible protective effect of nootkatone (90 mg/kg) administered by gavage 1 h before intratracheal instillation of DEPs (30 μg/mouse). Twenty-four hours after the intratracheal administration of DEPs, various thrombotic and cardiac parameters were assessed. Nootkatone inhibited the prothrombotic effect induced by DEPs in pial arterioles and venules in vivo and platelet aggregation in whole blood in vitro. Also, nootkatone prevented the shortening of activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time induced by DEPs. Nootkatone inhibited the increase of plasma concentration of fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, interleukin-6, and lipid peroxidation induced by DEPs. Immunohistochemically, hearts showed an analogous increase in glutathione and nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 expression by cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells after DEP exposure, and these effects were enhanced in mice treated with nootkatone + DEPs. Likewise, heme oxygenase-1 was increased in mice treated with nootkatone + DEPs compared with those treated with DEPs or nootkatone + saline. The DNA damage caused by DEPs was prevented by nootkatoone pretreatment. In conclusion, nootkatoone alleviates DEP-induced thrombogenicity and systemic and cardiac oxidative stress and DNA damage, at least partly, through nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 and heme oxygenase-1 activation. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Nootkatoone, a sesquiterpenoid found in grapefruit, alleviates the thrombogenicity and systemic and cardiac oxidative stress and DNA damage in mice exposed to diesel exhaust particles. Nootkatone-induced boosting of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 and heme oxygenase-1 levels in the heart of mice exposed to diesel exhaust particles suggests that its protective effect is, at least partly, mediated through nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 and heme oxygenase-1 activation.

  6. RANTES release by human airway smooth muscle: effects of prostaglandin E(2) and fenoterol.

    PubMed

    Lazzeri, N; Belvisi, M G; Patel, H J; Chung, K F; Yacoub, M H; Mitchell, J A

    2001-12-21

    In human airway smooth muscle cells, the levels of RANTES were increased upon stimulation with interleukin-1beta together with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (10 ng ml(-1) for each). In this study, we have assessed the effects of prostaglandin E(2) and the beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, fenoterol on RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) release by these cells. The levels of RANTES released by human airway smooth muscle cells were measured after 24 h of treatment. Prostaglandin E(2) and fenoterol, only in presence of a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10(-6) M), provoked a concentration-dependent reduction in RANTES release. These data suggest that, in settings where cyclo-oxygenase activity is low, both drugs may relieve the symptoms of airway diseases by reducing RANTES production.

  7. Isolation and characterization of cbbL and cbbS genes encoding form I ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large and small subunits in Nitrosomonas sp. strain ENI-11.

    PubMed

    Hirota, Ryuichi; Kato, Junichi; Morita, Hiromu; Kuroda, Akio; Ikeda, Tsukasa; Takiguchi, Noboru; Ohtake, Hisao

    2002-03-01

    The cbbL and cbbS genes encoding form I ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) large and small subunits in the ammonia-oxidizing bacterium Nitrosomonas sp. strain ENI-11 were cloned and sequenced. The deduced gene products, CbbL and CbbS, had 93 and 87% identity with Thiobacillus intermedius CbbL and Nitrobacter winogradskyi CbbS, respectively. Expression of cbbL and cbbS in Escherichia coli led to the detection of RubisCO activity in the presence of 0.1 mM isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). To our knowledge, this is the first paper to report the genes involved in the carbon fixation reaction in chemolithotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria.

  8. Intragastric acid control in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug users: comparison of esomeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole.

    PubMed

    Goldstein, J L; Miner, P B; Schlesinger, P K; Liu, S; Silberg, D G

    2006-04-15

    Studies to date have not directly compared the pharmacodynamic efficacies of different proton pump inhibitors in controlling intragastric acidity in patients treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. To compare acid suppression with once-daily esomeprazole 40 mg, lansoprazole 30 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg in patients receiving non-selective or cyclo-oxygenase-2-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy. In this multicentre, open-label, comparative, three-way crossover study, adult patients (n = 90) receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were randomized to one of six treatment sequences. At the study site, patients were administered esomeprazole 40 mg, lansoprazole 30 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg for 5 days each, with a washout period of > or =10 days between each treatment. Twenty-four-hour pH testing was performed on day 5 of each dosing period. The mean percentage of time during the 24-h pH monitoring period that gastric pH was >4.0 was significantly greater with esomeprazole (74.2%) compared with lansoprazole (66.5%; P < 0.001) and pantoprazole (60.8%; P < 0.001), and significantly greater with esomeprazole (P < 0.05) than with the comparators regardless of whether using non-selective vs. cyclo-oxygenase-2-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. At the doses studied, esomeprazole treatment provides significantly greater gastric acid suppression than lansoprazole or pantoprazole in patients receiving non-selective or cyclo-oxygenase-2-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

  9. Oxidative metabolism of phenanthrene and anthracene by soil pseudomonads. The ring-fission mechanism

    PubMed Central

    Evans, W. C.; Fernley, H. N.; Griffiths, E.

    1965-01-01

    1. Phenanthrene is oxidatively metabolized by soil pseudomonads through trans-3,4-dihydro-3,4-dihydroxyphenanthrene to 3,4-dihydroxyphenanthrene, which then undergoes cleavage. 2. Some properties of the ring-fission product, cis-4-(1-hydroxynaphth-2-yl)-2-oxobut-3-enoic acid, are described. The Fe2+-dependent oxygenase therefore disrupts the bond between C-4 and the angular C of the phenanthrene nucleus. 3. An enzyme of the aldolase type converts the fission product into 1-hydroxy-2-naphthaldehyde (2-formyl-1-hydroxynaphthalene). An NAD-specific dehydrogenase is also present in the cell-free extract, which oxidizes the aldehyde to 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid. This is then oxidatively decarboxylated to 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene, thus allowing continuation of metabolism via the naphthalene pathway. 4. Anthracene is similarly metabolized, through 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxyanthracene to 1,2-dihydroxyanthracene, in which ring-fission occurs to give cis-4-(2-hydroxynaphth-3-yl)-2-oxobut-3-enoic acid. The position of cleavage is again at the bond between the angular C and C-1 of the anthracene nucleus. 5. Enzymes that convert the fission product through 2-hydroxy-3-naphthaldehyde into 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid were demonstrated. The further metabolism of this acid is discussed. 6. The Fe2+-dependent oxygenase responsible for cleavage of all the o-dihydroxyphenol derivatives appears to be catechol 2,3-oxygenase, and is a constitutive enzyme in the Pseudomonas strains used. PMID:14342521

  10. Covalent heme attachment to the protein in human heme oxygenase-1 with selenocysteine replacing the His25 proximal iron ligand

    PubMed Central

    Jiang, Yongying; Trnka, Michael J.; Medzihradszky, Katalin F.; Ouellet, Hugues; Wang, Yongqiang; Ortiz de Montellano, Paul R.

    2009-01-01

    To characterize heme oxygenase with a selenocysteine (SeCys) as the proximal iron ligand, we have expressed truncated human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) His25Cys, in which Cys-25 is the only cysteine, in the Escherichia coli cysteine auxotroph strain BL21(DE3)cys. Selenocysteine incorporation into the protein was demonstrated by both intact protein mass measurement and mass spectrometric identification of the selenocysteine-containing tryptic peptide. One selenocysteine was incorporated into approximately 95% of the expressed protein. Formation of an adduct with Ellman's reagent (DTNB) indicated that the selenocysteine in the expressed protein was in the reduced state. The heme-His25SeCys hHO-1 complex could be prepared by either (a) supplementing the overexpression medium with heme, or (b) reconstituting the purified apoprotein with heme. Under reducing conditions in the presence of imidazole, a covalent bond is formed by addition of the selenocysteine residue to one of the heme vinyl groups. No covalent bond is formed when the heme is replaced by mesoheme, in which the vinyls are replaced by ethyl groups. These results, together with our earlier demonstration that external selenolate ligands can transfer an electron to the iron (Jiang, Y., Ortiz de Montellano, P.R., Inorg. Chem., 47, 3480-3482 (2008)), indicate that a selenyl radical is formed in the hHO1 His25SeCys mutant that adds to a heme vinyl group. PMID:19135260

  11. Covalent heme attachment to the protein in human heme oxygenase-1 with selenocysteine replacing the His25 proximal iron ligand.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Yongying; Trnka, Michael J; Medzihradszky, Katalin F; Ouellet, Hugues; Wang, Yongqiang; Ortiz de Montellano, Paul R

    2009-03-01

    To characterize heme oxygenase with a selenocysteine (SeCys) as the proximal iron ligand, we have expressed truncated human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) His25Cys, in which Cys-25 is the only cysteine, in the Escherichia coli cysteine auxotroph strain BL21(DE3)cys. Selenocysteine incorporation into the protein was demonstrated by both intact protein mass measurement and mass spectrometric identification of the selenocysteine-containing tryptic peptide. One selenocysteine was incorporated into approximately 95% of the expressed protein. Formation of an adduct with Ellman's reagent (DTNB) indicated that the selenocysteine in the expressed protein was in the reduced state. The heme-His25SeCys hHO-1 complex could be prepared by either (a) supplementing the overexpression medium with heme, or (b) reconstituting the purified apoprotein with heme. Under reducing conditions in the presence of imidazole, a covalent bond is formed by addition of the selenocysteine residue to one of the heme vinyl groups. No covalent bond is formed when the heme is replaced by mesoheme, in which the vinyls are replaced by ethyl groups. These results, together with our earlier demonstration that external selenolate ligands can transfer an electron to the iron [Y. Jiang, P.R. Ortiz de Montellano, Inorg. Chem. 47 (2008) 3480-3482 ], indicate that a selenyl radical is formed in the hHO-1 His25SeCys mutant that adds to a heme vinyl group.

  12. Functional properties of honey, propolis, and royal jelly.

    PubMed

    Viuda-Martos, M; Ruiz-Navajas, Y; Fernández-López, J; Pérez-Alvarez, J A

    2008-11-01

    Honey, propolis, and royal jelly, products originating in the beehive, are attractive ingredients for healthy foods. Honey has been used since ancient times as part of traditional medicine. Several aspects of this use indicate that it also has functions such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflamatory, antibrowning, and antiviral. Propolis is a resinous substance produced by honeybees. This substance has been used in folk medicine since ancient times, due to its many biological properties to possess, such as antitumor, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects, among others. Royal jelly has been demonstrated to possess numerous functional properties such as antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory activity, vasodilative and hypotensive activities, disinfectant action, antioxidant activity, antihypercholesterolemic activity, and antitumor activity. Biological activities of honey, propolis, and royal jelly are mainly attributed to the phenolic compounds such as flavonoids. Flavonoids have been reported to exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and vasodilatory actions. In addition, flavonoids inhibit lipid peroxidation, platelet aggregation, capillary permeability and fragility, and the activity of enzyme systems including cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase.

  13. Edaravone protected PC12 cells against MPP(+)-cytoxicity via inhibiting oxidative stress and up-regulating heme oxygenase-1 expression.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Baohua; Guo, Yunliang; Li, Chuangang; Ji, Bingyuan; Pan, Yanyou; Chen, Jing; Bai, Bo

    2014-08-15

    Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Edaravone has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect. In the present work, we investigated the effect of edaravone on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-treated PC12 cells. Edaravone inhibited the decrease of cell viability and apoptosis induced by MPP(+) in PC12 cells. In addition, edaravone alleviated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. MPP(+) induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, which was further enhanced by edaravone. The inhibitor of HO-1 zinc protoporphyrin-IX attenuated the neuroprotection of edaravone. So edaravone protected PC12 cells against MPP(+)-cytoxicity via inhibiting oxidative stress and up-regulating HO-1 expression. The data showed that edaravone was neuroprotective and could be potentially therapeutics for PD in future. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Artificial hydrogenases based on cobaloximes and heme oxygenase

    DOE PAGES

    Bacchi, Marine; Veinberg, Elias; Field, Martin J.; ...

    2016-06-06

    The insertion of cobaloxime catalysts in the heme-binding pocket of heme oxygenase (HO) yields artificial hydrogenases active for H 2 evolution in neutral aqueous solutions. These novel biohybrids have been purified and characterized by using UV/visible and EPR spectroscopy. These analyses revealed the presence of two distinct binding conformations, thereby providing the cobaloxime with hydrophobic and hydrophilic environments, respectively. Quantum chemical/molecular mechanical docking calculations found open and closed conformations of the binding pocket owing to mobile amino acid residues. HO-based biohybrids incorporating a {Co(dmgH) 2} (dmgH 2 = dimethylglyoxime) catalytic center displayed up to threefold increased turnover numbers with respectmore » to the cobaloxime alone or to analogous sperm whale myoglobin adducts. Here, this study thus provides a strong basis for further improvement of such biohybrids, using well-designed modifications of the second and outer coordination spheres, through site-directed mutagenesis of the host protein.« less

  15. Artificial hydrogenases based on cobaloximes and heme oxygenase

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

    Bacchi, Marine; Veinberg, Elias; Field, Martin J.

    The insertion of cobaloxime catalysts in the heme-binding pocket of heme oxygenase (HO) yields artificial hydrogenases active for H 2 evolution in neutral aqueous solutions. These novel biohybrids have been purified and characterized by using UV/visible and EPR spectroscopy. These analyses revealed the presence of two distinct binding conformations, thereby providing the cobaloxime with hydrophobic and hydrophilic environments, respectively. Quantum chemical/molecular mechanical docking calculations found open and closed conformations of the binding pocket owing to mobile amino acid residues. HO-based biohybrids incorporating a {Co(dmgH) 2} (dmgH 2 = dimethylglyoxime) catalytic center displayed up to threefold increased turnover numbers with respectmore » to the cobaloxime alone or to analogous sperm whale myoglobin adducts. Here, this study thus provides a strong basis for further improvement of such biohybrids, using well-designed modifications of the second and outer coordination spheres, through site-directed mutagenesis of the host protein.« less

  16. Rapid purification of the oxygenase component of toluene dioxygenase from a polyol-responsive monoclonal antibody.

    PubMed Central

    Lynch, N A; Jiang, H; Gibson, D T

    1996-01-01

    A monoclonal antibody designated 302 beta that is specific for the beta subunit of the oxygenase component (ISPTOL) of toluene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas putida F1 was used to prepare an immunoaffinity column. ISPTOL in cell extracts of Escherichia coli JM109(pDTG611) bound to the column, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent elution-screening assay with different combinations of polyols and kosmotropic anions was used to determine the conditions necessary for recovery of active enzyme. Elution from an 8-ml antibody column with 50 mM 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonate buffer (pH 6.8) containing 50% ethylene glycol, 1.0 M ammonium sulfate, 1.0 mM dithiothreitol, and 0.2 mM ferrous ammonium sulfate gave approximately 2 mg of ISPTOL with a specific activity that was more than 300 times the specific activity previously obtained. PMID:8787410

  17. An improved method for purification of recombinant truncated heme oxygenase-1 by expanded bed adsorption and gel filtration.

    PubMed

    Hu, Hong-Bo; Wang, Wei; Han, Ling; Zhou, Wen-Pu; Zhang, Xue-Hong

    2007-03-01

    Recombinant truncated human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) expressed in Escherichia coli was efficiently separated and purified from feedstock by DEAE-ion exchange expanded bed adsorption. Protocol optimization of hHO-1 on DEAE adsorbent resulted in adsorption in 0 M NaCl and elution in 150 mM NaCl at a pH of 8.5. The active enzyme fractions separated from the expanded bed column were further purified by a Superdex 75 gel filtration step. The specific hHO-1 activity increased from 0.82 +/- 0.05 to 24.8 +/- 1.8 U/mg during the whole purification steps. The recovery and purification factor of truncated hHO-1 of the whole purification were 72.7 +/- 4.7 and 30.2 +/- 2.3%, respectively. This purification process can decrease the demand on the preparation of feedstock and simplify the purification process.

  18. Species Variation in the Predawn Inhibition of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase 1

    PubMed Central

    Servaites, Jerome C.; Parry, Martin A. J.; Gutteridge, Steven; Keys, Alfred J.

    1986-01-01

    The activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase was measured in extracts of leaves collected before dawn (predawn activity, pa) and at midday (midday activity, ma). Twenty-three of the 37 species examined showed a pa/ma ratio (≤0.75, while only Capsicum frutescens, Cucumis sativa, Glycine max, Nicotiana tabacum, Vigna unguiculata, and 3 Solanum species showed a pa/ma ratio ≤0.5. Phaseolus vulgaris consistently showed a pa/ma ratio of ≤0.1. Activities and pa/ma ratios of the same species grown in the United States and the United Kingdom were very similar. Gel filtration of extracts before assay had no effect on the observed activities and the pa/ma ratios. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that in a number of species the enzyme is partially inhibited following the night period by the presence of a tight-binding inhibitor. PMID:16665155

  19. Crystal structure of the unactivated ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase complexed with a transition state analog, 2-carboxy-D-arabinitol 1,5-bisphosphate.

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, K. Y.; Cascio, D.; Eisenberg, D.

    1994-01-01

    The crystal structure of unactivated ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from Nicotiana tabacum complexed with a transition state analog, 2-carboxy-D-arabinitol 1,5-bisphosphate, was determined to 2.7 A resolution by X-ray crystallography. The transition state analog binds at the active site in an extended conformation. As compared to the binding of the same analog in the activated enzyme, the analog binds in a reverse orientation. The active site Lys 201 is within hydrogen bonding distance of the carboxyl oxygen of the analog. Loop 6 (residues 330-339) remains open and flexible upon binding of the analog in the unactivated enzyme, in contrast to the closed and ordered loop 6 in the activated enzyme complex. The transition state analog is exposed to solvent due to the open conformation of loop 6. PMID:8142899

  20. Structural and stereoelectronic insights into oxygenase-catalyzed formation of ethylene from 2-oxoglutarate.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zhihong; Smart, Tristan J; Choi, Hwanho; Hardy, Florence; Lohans, Christopher T; Abboud, Martine I; Richardson, Melodie S W; Paton, Robert S; McDonough, Michael A; Schofield, Christopher J

    2017-05-02

    Ethylene is important in industry and biological signaling. In plants, ethylene is produced by oxidation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, as catalyzed by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase. Bacteria catalyze ethylene production, but via the four-electron oxidation of 2-oxoglutarate to give ethylene in an arginine-dependent reaction. Crystallographic and biochemical studies on the Pseudomonas syringae ethylene-forming enzyme reveal a branched mechanism. In one branch, an apparently typical 2-oxoglutarate oxygenase reaction to give succinate, carbon dioxide, and sometimes pyrroline-5-carboxylate occurs. Alternatively, Grob-type oxidative fragmentation of a 2-oxoglutarate-derived intermediate occurs to give ethylene and carbon dioxide. Crystallographic and quantum chemical studies reveal that fragmentation to give ethylene is promoted by binding of l-arginine in a nonoxidized conformation and of 2-oxoglutarate in an unprecedented high-energy conformation that favors ethylene, relative to succinate formation.

  1. Rice proteome database: a step toward functional analysis of the rice genome.

    PubMed

    Komatsu, Setsuko

    2005-09-01

    The technique of proteome analysis using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) has the power to monitor global changes that occur in the protein complement of tissues and subcellular compartments. In this study, the proteins of rice were cataloged, a rice proteome database was constructed, and a functional characterization of some of the identified proteins was undertaken. Proteins extracted from various tissues and subcellular compartments in rice were separated by 2D-PAGE and an image analyzer was used to construct a display of the proteins. The Rice Proteome Database contains 23 reference maps based on 2D-PAGE of proteins from various rice tissues and subcellular compartments. These reference maps comprise 13129 identified proteins, and the amino acid sequences of 5092 proteins are entered in the database. Major proteins involved in growth or stress responses were identified using the proteome approach. Some of these proteins, including a beta-tubulin, calreticulin, and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activase in rice, have unexpected functions. The information obtained from the Rice Proteome Database will aid in cloning the genes for and predicting the function of unknown proteins.

  2. Geraniol promotes functional recovery and attenuates neuropathic pain in rats with spinal cord injury.

    PubMed

    Lv, Yan; Zhang, Liang; Li, Na; Mai, Naiken; Zhang, Yu; Pan, Shuyi

    2017-12-01

    Geraniol, a plant-derived monoterpene, has been extensively studied and showed a wide variety of beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of geraniol on functional recovery and neuropathic pain in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Rats received a clip-compression SCI and were treated with geraniol 6 h following SCI. Treatment of SCI rats with geraniol markedly improved locomotor function, and reduced sensitivity to the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Treatment of SCI rats with geraniol increased NeuN-positive cells, suppressed expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, and reduced activity of caspase-3 in the injured region. Treatment of SCI rats with geraniol reduced levels of malondialdehyde and 3-nitrotyrosine, upregulated protein expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase 1, and suppressed expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the injured region. In addition, treatment of SCI rats with geraniol downregulated protein expression of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 1 and reduced the number of CD68-positive cells and protein levels of TNF-α in the injured region. In conclusion, geraniol significantly promoted the recovery of neuronal function and attenuated neuropathic pain after SCI.

  3. Biogenesis and Metabolic Maintenance of Rubisco.

    PubMed

    Bracher, Andreas; Whitney, Spencer M; Hartl, F Ulrich; Hayer-Hartl, Manajit

    2017-04-28

    Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) mediates the fixation of atmospheric CO 2 in photosynthesis by catalyzing the carboxylation of the 5-carbon sugar ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP). Rubisco is a remarkably inefficient enzyme, fixing only 2-10 CO 2 molecules per second. Efforts to increase crop yields by bioengineering Rubisco remain unsuccessful, owing in part to the complex cellular machinery required for Rubisco biogenesis and metabolic maintenance. The large subunit of Rubisco requires the chaperonin system for folding, and recent studies have shown that assembly of hexadecameric Rubisco is mediated by specific assembly chaperones. Moreover, Rubisco function can be inhibited by a range of sugar-phosphate ligands, including RuBP. Metabolic repair depends on remodeling of Rubisco by the ATP-dependent Rubisco activase and hydrolysis of inhibitory sugar phosphates by specific phosphatases. Here, we review our present understanding of the structure and function of these auxiliary factors and their utilization in efforts to engineer more catalytically efficient Rubisco enzymes.

  4. Prostaglandins in the kidney: developments since Y2K.

    PubMed

    Nasrallah, Rania; Clark, Jordan; Hébert, Richard L

    2007-10-01

    There are five major PGs (prostaglandins/prostanoids) produced from arachidonic acid via the COX (cyclo-oxygenase) pathway: PGE(2), PGI(2) (prostacyclin), PGD(2), PGF(2alpha) and TXA(2) (thromboxane A(2)). They exert many biological effects through specific G-protein-coupled membrane receptors, namely EP (PGE(2) receptor), IP (PGI(2) receptor), DP (PGD(2) receptor), FP (PGF(2alpha) receptor) and TP (TXA(2) receptor) respectively. PGs are implicated in physiological and pathological processes in all major organ systems, including cardiovascular function, gastrointestinal responses, reproductive processes, renal effects etc. This review highlights recent insights into the role of each prostanoid in regulating various aspects of renal function, including haemodynamics, renin secretion, growth responses, tubular transport processes and cell fate. A thorough review of the literature since Y2K (year 2000) is provided, with a general overview of PGs and their synthesis enzymes, and then specific considerations of each PG/prostanoid receptor system in the kidney.

  5. Paracrine action of HO-1-modified mesenchymal stem cells mediates cardiac protection and functional improvement.

    PubMed

    Zeng, Bin; Ren, Xiaofeng; Lin, Guosheng; Zhu, Chengang; Chen, Honglei; Yin, Jiechao; Jiang, Hong; Yang, Bo; Ding, Danhua

    2008-10-01

    The aim has been to determine whether the supernatants of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transfected with adenovirus carrying human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) gene protect cardiomyocytes from ischemic injury. We have found that hHO-1 infected MSCs (hHO-1-MSCs) increased expression of hHO-1 protein. Apoptosis of cultured hHO-1-MSCs exposed to hypoxia was suppressed. Several cytokines, including HGF, bFGF, TGF-beta, VEGF and IL-1beta, were produced by hHO-1-MSCs, some being significantly enhanced under hypoxia stimulation. Meanwhile, those cytokines reduced caspase-3 level and activity in cultured adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (ARVCs) exposed to hypoxia. Supernatants obtained from hHO-1-MSCs improved left ventricular function, limited myocardial infarct size, increased microvessel density, and inhibited apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in rat myocardial infarction. It can be concluded hHO-1-modified MSCs prevent myocardial cell injury via secretion of paracrine-acting mediators.

  6. Differences in glycogen, lipids, and enzymes in livers from rats flown on Cosmos 2044

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Merrill, Alfred H., Jr.; Wang, Elaine; Laroque, Regina; Mullins, Richard E.; Morgan, Edward T.; Hargrove, James L.; Bonkovsky, Herbert L.; Popova, Irina A.

    1992-01-01

    Livers from rats flown aboard Cosmos 2044 were analyzed for protein, carbohydrate (glycogen), and lipids as well as the activities of a number of key enzymes involved in metabolism of these compounds and xenobiotics. The major differences between the flight group and the synchronous control were elevations in microsomal protein, liver glycogen content, tyrosine aminotransferase, and tryptophan oxygenase and reductions in sphingolipids and the rate-limiting enzyme of heme biosynthesis delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase. These results provide further evidence that spaceflight has pronounced and diverse effects on liver function; however, some of the results with samples from Cosmos 2044 differed notably from those from previous spaceflights. This may be due to conditions of spaceflight and/or the postflight recovery period for Cosmos 2044.

  7. Characterization of the Heme Environment in Arabidopsis thaliana Fatty Acid α-Dioxygenase-1*

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Wen; Rogge, Corina E.; Bambai, Bijan; Palmer, Graham; Tsai, Ah-Lim; Kulmacz, Richard J.

    2010-01-01

    Plant α-dioxygenases (PADOX) are hemoproteins in the myeloperoxidase family. We have used a variety of spectroscopic, mutagenic, and kinetic approaches to characterize the heme environment in Arabidopsis thaliana PADOX-1. Recombinant PADOX-1 purified to homogeneity contained 1 mol of heme bound tightly but noncovalently per protein monomer. Electronic absorbance, electron paramagnetic resonance, and magnetic circular dichroism spectra showed a high spin ferric heme that could be reduced to the ferrous state by dithionite. Cyanide bound relatively weakly in the ferric PADOX-1 heme vicinity (Kd ~10 mm) but did not shift the heme to the low spin state. Cyanide was a very strong inhibitor of the fatty acid oxygenase activity (Ki ~5 µm) and increased the Km value for oxygen but not that for fatty acid. Spectroscopic analyses indicated that carbon monoxide, azide, imidazole, and a variety of substituted imidazoles did not bind appreciably in the ferric PADOX-1 heme vicinity. Substitution of His-163 and His-389 with cysteine, glutamine, tyrosine, or methionine resulted in variable degrees of perturbation of the heme absorbance spectrum and oxygenase activity, consistent with His-389 serving as the proximal heme ligand and indicating that the heme has a functional role in catalysis. Overall, A. thaliana PADOX-1 resembles a b-type cytochrome, although with much more restricted access to the distal face of the heme than seen in most other myeloperoxidase family members, explaining the previously puzzling lack of peroxidase activity in the plant protein. PADOX-1 is unusual in that it has a high affinity, inhibitory cyanide-binding site distinct from the distal heme face and the fatty acid site. PMID:15100225

  8. Multifaceted roles of Lys166 of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase as discerned by product analysis and chemical rescue of site-directed mutants.

    PubMed

    Harpel, Mark R; Larimer, Frank W; Hartman, Fred C

    2002-01-29

    Ab initio calculations [King, W. A., et al. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 15414-15422] of an active-site mimic of D-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase suggest that active-site Lys166 plays a role in carboxylation in addition to its functions in the initial deprotonation and final protonation steps. To test this postulate, the turnover of 1-(3)H-labeled D-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by impaired position-166 mutants was characterized. Although these mutants catalyze slow enolization of RuBP, most of the RuBP-enediol undergoes beta-elimination of phosphate to form 2,3-pentodiulose 5-phosphate, signifying deficiencies in normal carboxylation and oxygenation. Much of the remaining RuBP-enediol is carboxylated but forms pyruvate, rather than 3-phospho-D-glycerate, due to incapacity in protonation of the terminal aci-acid intermediate. As a further test of the postulate, the effects of subtle perturbation of the Lys166 side chain on the carboxylation/oxygenation partitioning ratio (tau) were determined. To eliminate a chemically reactive site, Cys58 was replaced by a seryl residue without any loss of activity. The virtually inactive K166C-C58S double mutant was chemically rescued by aminoethylation or aminopropylation to reinsert a lysyl-like side chain at position 166. Relative to the wild-type value, tau for the aminoethylated enzyme was increased by approximately 30%, and tau for the aminopropylated enzyme was decreased by approximately 80%. Thus, two lines of experimentation support the theoretically based conclusion for the importance of Lys166 in the reaction of RuBP-enediol with gaseous substrates.

  9. Heme oxygenase-1 overexpression fails to attenuate hypertension when the nitric oxide synthase system is not fully operative.

    PubMed

    Polizio, Ariel H; Santa-Cruz, Diego M; Balestrasse, Karina B; Gironacci, Mariela M; Bertera, Facundo M; Höcht, Christian; Taira, Carlos A; Tomaro, Maria L; Gorzalczany, Susana B

    2011-01-01

    Heme oxygenase (HO) is an enzyme that is involved in numerous secondary actions. One of its products, CO, seems to have an important but unclear role in blood pressure regulation. CO exhibits a vasodilator action through the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and the subsequent production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The aim of the present study was to determine whether pathological and pharmacological HO-1 overexpression has any regulatory role on blood pressure in a renovascular model of hypertension. We examined the effect of zinc protoporyphyrin IX (ZnPP-IX) administration, an inhibitor of HO activity, on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate in sham-operated and aorta-coarcted (AC) rats and its interaction with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathway. Inhibition of HO increased MAP in normotensive rats with and without hemin pretreatment but not in hypertensive rats. Pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester blocked the pressor response to ZnPP-IX, suggesting a key role of NOS in the cardiovascular action of HO inhibition. In the same way, AC rats, an experimental model of hypertension with impaired function and low expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS), did not show any cardiovascular response to inhibition or induction of HO. This finding suggests that eNOS was necessary for modulating the CO response in the hypertensive group. In conclusion, the present study suggests that HO regulates blood pressure through CO only when the NOS pathway is fully operative. In addition, chronic HO induction fails to attenuate the hypertensive stage induced by coarctation as a consequence of the impairment of the NOS pathway. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  10. Sulforaphane Attenuates Muscle Inflammation in Dystrophin-deficient mdx Mice via NF-E2-related Factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated Inhibition of NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

    PubMed

    Sun, Cheng-Cao; Li, Shu-Jun; Yang, Cui-Li; Xue, Rui-Lin; Xi, Yong-Yong; Wang, Liang; Zhao, Qian-Long; Li, De-Jia

    2015-07-17

    Inflammation is widely distributed in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and ultimately leads to progressive deterioration of muscle function with chronic muscle damage, oxidative stress, and reduced oxidative capacity. NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a critical role in defending against inflammation in different tissues via activation of phase II enzyme heme oxygenase-1 and inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. However, the role of Nrf2 in the inflammation of dystrophic muscle remains unknown. To determine whether Nrf2 may counteract inflammation in dystrophic muscle, we treated 4-week-old male mdx mice with the Nrf2 activator sulforaphane (SFN) by gavage (2 mg/kg of body weight/day) for 4 weeks. The experimental results demonstrated that SFN treatment increased the expression of muscle phase II enzyme heme oxygenase-1 in an Nrf2-dependent manner. Inflammation in mice was reduced by SFN treatment as indicated by decreased infiltration of immune cells and expression of the inflammatory cytokine CD45 and proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 in the skeletal muscles of mdx mice. In addition, SFN treatment also decreased the expression of NF-κB(p65) and phosphorylated IκB kinase-α as well as increased inhibitor of κB-α expression in mdx mice in an Nrf2-dependent manner. Collectively, these results show that SFN-induced Nrf2 can alleviate muscle inflammation in mdx mice by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  11. Theory favors a stepwise mechanism of porphyrin degradation by a ferric hydroperoxide model of the active species of heme oxygenase.

    PubMed

    Kumar, Devesh; de Visser, Samuël P; Shaik, Sason

    2005-06-08

    The report uses density functional theory to address the mechanism of heme degradation by the enzyme heme oxygenase (HO) using a model ferric hydroperoxide complex. HO is known to trap heme molecules and degrade them to maintain iron homeostasis in the biosystem. The degradation is initiated by complexation of the heme, then formation of the iron-hydroperoxo species, which subsequently oxidizes the meso position of the porphyrin by hydroxylation, thereby enabling eventually the cleavage of the porphyrin ring. Kinetic isotope effect studies indicate that the mechanism is assisted by general acid catalysis, via a chain of water molecules, and that all the events occur in concert. However, previous theoretical treatments indicated that the concerted mechanism has a high barrier, much higher than an alternative mechanism that is initiated by O-O bond homolysis of iron-hydroperoxide. The present contribution studies the stepwise and concerted acid-catalyzed mechanisms using H(3)O(+)(H(2)O)(n)(), n = 0-2. The effect of the acid strength is tested using the H(4)N(+)(H(2)O)(2) cluster and a fully protonated ferric hydroperoxide. All the calculations show that a stepwise mechanism that involves proton relay and O-O homolysis, in the rate-determining step, has a much lower barrier (>10 kcal/mol) than the corresponding fully concerted mechanism. The best fit of the calculated solvent kinetic isotope effect, to the experimental data, is obtained for the H(3)O(+)(H(2)O)(2) cluster. The calculated alpha-deuterium secondary kinetic isotope effect is inverse (0.95-0.98), but much less so than the experimental value (0.7). Possible reasons for this quantitative difference are discussed. Some probes are suggested that may enable experiment to distinguish the stepwise from the concerted mechanism.

  12. Insertion Mutation of the Form I cbbL Gene Encoding Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase (RuBisCO) in Thiobacillus neapolitanus Results in Expression of Form II RuBisCO, Loss of Carboxysomes, and an Increased CO2 Requirement for Growth

    PubMed Central

    Baker, Stefanie H.; Jin, Songmu; Aldrich, Henry C.; Howard, Gary T.; Shively, Jessup M.

    1998-01-01

    It has been previously established that Thiobacillus neapolitanus fixes CO2 by using a form I ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), that much of the enzyme is sequestered into carboxysomes, and that the genes for the enzyme, cbbL and cbbS, are part of a putative carboxysome operon. In the present study, cbbL and cbbS were cloned and sequenced. Analysis of RNA showed that cbbL and cbbS are cotranscribed on a message approximately 2,000 nucleotides in size. The insertion of a kanamycin resistance cartridge into cbbL resulted in a premature termination of transcription; a polar mutant was generated. The mutant is able to fix CO2, but requires a CO2 supplement for growth. Separation of cellular proteins from both the wild type and the mutant on sucrose gradients and subsequent analysis of the RuBisCO activity in the collected fractions showed that the mutant assimilates CO2 by using a form II RuBisCO. This was confirmed by immunoblot analysis using antibodies raised against form I and form II RuBisCOs. The mutant does not possess carboxysomes. Smaller, empty inclusions are present, but biochemical analysis indicates that if they are carboxysome related, they are not functional, i.e., do not contain RuBisCO. Northern analysis showed that some of the shell components of the carboxysome are produced, which may explain the presence of these inclusions in the mutant. PMID:9696760

  13. RubisCO selection using the vigorously aerobic and metabolically versatile bacterium Ralstonia eutropha.

    PubMed

    Satagopan, Sriram; Tabita, F Robert

    2016-08-01

    Recapturing atmospheric CO2 is key to reducing global warming and increasing biological carbon availability. Ralstonia eutropha is a biotechnologically useful aerobic bacterium that uses the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle and the enzyme ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) for CO2 utilization, suggesting that it may be a useful host to bioselect RubisCO molecules with improved CO2 -capture capabilities. A host strain of R. eutropha was constructed for this purpose after deleting endogenous genes encoding two related RubisCOs. This strain could be complemented for CO2 -dependent growth by introducing native or heterologous RubisCO genes. Mutagenesis and suppressor selection identified amino acid substitutions in a hydrophobic region that specifically influences RubisCO's interaction with its substrates, particularly O2 , which competes with CO2 at the active site. Unlike most RubisCOs, the R. eutropha enzyme has evolved to retain optimal CO2 -fixation rates in a fast-growing host, despite the presence of high levels of competing O2 . Yet its structure-function properties resemble those of several commonly found RubisCOs, including the higher plant enzymes, allowing strategies to engineer analogous enzymes. Because R. eutropha can be cultured rapidly under harsh environmental conditions (e.g., with toxic industrial flue gas), in the presence of near saturation levels of oxygen, artificial selection and directed evolution studies in this organism could potentially impact efforts toward improving RubisCO-dependent biological CO2 utilization in aerobic environments. d-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, EC 4.1.1.39; phosphoribulokinase, EC 2.7.1.19. © 2016 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

  14. A faster Rubisco with potential to increase photosynthesis in crops.

    PubMed

    Lin, Myat T; Occhialini, Alessandro; Andralojc, P John; Parry, Martin A J; Hanson, Maureen R

    2014-09-25

    In photosynthetic organisms, D-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) is the major enzyme assimilating atmospheric CO2 into the biosphere. Owing to the wasteful oxygenase activity and slow turnover of Rubisco, the enzyme is among the most important targets for improving the photosynthetic efficiency of vascular plants. It has been anticipated that introducing the CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM) from cyanobacteria into plants could enhance crop yield. However, the complex nature of Rubisco's assembly has made manipulation of the enzyme extremely challenging, and attempts to replace it in plants with the enzymes from cyanobacteria and red algae have not been successful. Here we report two transplastomic tobacco lines with functional Rubisco from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942 (Se7942). We knocked out the native tobacco gene encoding the large subunit of Rubisco by inserting the large and small subunit genes of the Se7942 enzyme, in combination with either the corresponding Se7942 assembly chaperone, RbcX, or an internal carboxysomal protein, CcmM35, which incorporates three small subunit-like domains. Se7942 Rubisco and CcmM35 formed macromolecular complexes within the chloroplast stroma, mirroring an early step in the biogenesis of cyanobacterial β-carboxysomes. Both transformed lines were photosynthetically competent, supporting autotrophic growth, and their respective forms of Rubisco had higher rates of CO2 fixation per unit of enzyme than the tobacco control. These transplastomic tobacco lines represent an important step towards improved photosynthesis in plants and will be valuable hosts for future addition of the remaining components of the cyanobacterial CCM, such as inorganic carbon transporters and the β-carboxysome shell proteins.

  15. Heme oxygenase-1 ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute murine colitis by regulating Th17/Treg cell balance.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Liya; Zhang, Yanjie; Zhong, Wenwei; Di, Caixia; Lin, Xiaoliang; Xia, Zhenwei

    2014-09-26

    Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by nonspecific inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Recent investigations suggest that activation of Th17 cells and/or deficiency of regulatory T cells (Treg) is involved in the pathogenesis of IBD. Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is a protein with a wide range of anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory function, which exerts significantly protective roles in various T cell-mediated diseases. In this study, we aim to explore the immunological regulation of HO-1 in the dextran sulfate sodium-induced model of experimental murine colitis. BALB/c mice were administered 4% dextran sulfate sodium orally; some mice were intraperitoneally pretreated with HO-1 inducer hemin or HO-1 inhibitor stannum protoporphyrin IX. The results show that hemin enhances the colonic expression of HO-1 and significantly ameliorates the symptoms of colitis with improved histological changes, accompanied by a decreased proportion of Th17 cells and increased number of Tregs in mesenteric lymph node and spleen. Moreover, induction of HO-1 down-regulates retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt expression and IL-17A levels, while promoting Treg-related forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) expression and IL-10 levels in colon. Further study in vitro revealed that up-regulated HO-1 switched the naive T cells to Tregs when cultured under a Th17-inducing environment, which involved in IL-6R blockade. Therefore, HO-1 may exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in the murine model of acute experimental colitis via regulating the balance between Th17 and Treg cells, thus providing a possible novel therapeutic target in IBD. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  16. Generation and Characterization of Human Heme Oxygenase-1 Transgenic Pigs

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Jaeseok; Cho, Bumrae; Hwang, Jong-Ik; Park, Sol Ji; Hurh, Sunghoon; Kim, Hwajung; Lee, Eun Mi; Ro, Han; Kang, Jung Taek; Kim, Su Jin; Won, Jae-Kyung; O'Connell, Philip J.; Kim, Hyunil; Surh, Charles D.; Lee, Byeong-Chun; Ahn, Curie

    2012-01-01

    Xenotransplantation using transgenic pigs as an organ source is a promising strategy to overcome shortage of human organ for transplantation. Various genetic modifications have been tried to ameliorate xenograft rejection. In the present study we assessed effect of transgenic expression of human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1), an inducible protein capable of cytoprotection by scavenging reactive oxygen species and preventing apoptosis caused by cellular stress during inflammatory processes, in neonatal porcine islet-like cluster cells (NPCCs). Transduction of NPCCs with adenovirus containing hHO-1 gene significantly reduced apoptosis compared with the GFP-expressing adenovirus control after treatment with either hydrogen peroxide or hTNF-α and cycloheximide. These protective effects were diminished by co-treatment of hHO-1 antagonist, Zinc protoporphyrin IX. We also generated transgenic pigs expressing hHO-1 and analyzed expression and function of the transgene. Human HO-1 was expressed in most tissues, including the heart, kidney, lung, pancreas, spleen and skin, however, expression levels and patterns of the hHO-1 gene are not consistent in each organ. We isolate fibroblast from transgenic pigs to analyze protective effect of the hHO-1. As expected, fibroblasts derived from the hHO-1 transgenic pigs were significantly resistant to both hydrogen peroxide damage and hTNF-α and cycloheximide-mediated apoptosis when compared with wild-type fibroblasts. Furthermore, induction of RANTES in response to hTNF-α or LPS was significantly decreased in fibroblasts obtained from the hHO-1 transgenic pigs. These findings suggest that transgenic expression of hHO-1 can protect xenografts when exposed to oxidative stresses, especially from ischemia/reperfusion injury, and/or acute rejection mediated by cytokines. Accordingly, hHO-1 could be an important candidate molecule in a multi-transgenic pig strategy for xenotransplantation. PMID:23071605

  17. Dietary quercetin attenuates oxidant-induced endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice fed a high-fat diet: a critical role for heme oxygenase-1.

    PubMed

    Shen, Yu; Ward, Natalie C; Hodgson, Jonathan M; Puddey, Ian B; Wang, Yutang; Zhang, Di; Maghzal, Ghassan J; Stocker, Roland; Croft, Kevin D

    2013-12-01

    Several lines of evidence indicate that quercetin, a polyphenol derived in the diet from fruit and vegetables, contributes to cardiovascular health. We aimed to investigate the effects of dietary quercetin on endothelial function and atherosclerosis in mice fed a high-fat diet. Wild-type C57BL/6 (WT) and apolipoprotein E gene knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice were fed: (i) a high-fat diet (HFD) or (ii) a HFD supplemented with 0.05% w/w quercetin (HFD+Q), for 14 weeks. Compared with animals fed HFD, HFD+Q attenuated atherosclerosis in ApoE(-/-) mice. Treatment with the HFD+Q significantly improved endothelium-dependent relaxation of aortic rings isolated from WT but not ApoE(-/-) mice and attenuated hypochlorous acid-induced endothelial dysfunction in aortic rings of both WT and ApoE(-/-) mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that HFD+Q significantly improved plasma F2-isoprostanes, 24h urinary nitrite, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity, and increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression in the aortas of both WT and ApoE(-/-) mice (P<0.05). HFD+Q also resulted in small changes in plasma cholesterol (P<0.05 in WT) and plasma triacylglycerols (P<0.05 in ApoE (-/-)mice). In a separate experiment, quercetin did not protect against hypochlorite-induced endothelial dysfunction in arteries obtained from heterozygous HO-1 gene knockout mice with low expression of HO-1 protein. Quercetin protects mice fed a HFD against oxidant-induced endothelial dysfunction and ApoE(-/-) mice against atherosclerosis. These effects are associated with improvements in nitric oxide bioavailability and are critically related to arterial induction of HO-1. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Diabetes Impairs the Vascular Recruitment of Normal Stem Cells by Oxidant Damage, Reversed by Increases in pAMPK, Heme Oxygenase-1, and Adiponectin

    PubMed Central

    Sambuceti, Gianmario; Morbelli, Silvia; Vanella, Luca; Kusmic, Claudia; Marini, Cecilia; Massollo, Michela; Augeri, Carla; Corselli, Mirko; Ghersi, Chiara; Chiavarina, Barbara; Rodella, Luigi F; L'Abbate, Antonio; Drummond, George; Abraham, Nader G; Frassoni, Francesco

    2009-01-01

    Background Atherosclerosis progression is accelerated in diabetes mellitus (DM) by either direct endothelial damage or reduced availability and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Both alterations are related to increased oxidant damage. Aim We examined if DM specifically impairs vascular signaling, thereby reducing the recruitment of normal EPCs, and if increases in antioxidant levels by induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) can reverse this condition. Methods Control and diabetic rats were treated with the HO-1 inducer cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) once a week for 3 weeks. Eight weeks after the development of diabetes, EPCs harvested from the aorta of syngenic inbred normal rats and labeled with technetium-99m-exametazime were infused via the femoral vein to estimate their blood clearance and aortic recruitment. Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and the aortic expression of thrombomodulin (TM), CD31, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were used to measure endothelial damage. Results DM reduced blood clearance and aortic recruitment of EPCs. Both parameters were returned to control levels by CoPP treatment without affecting EPC kinetics in normal animals. These abnormalities of EPCs in DM were paralleled by reduced serum adiponectin levels, increased numbers of CECs, reduced endothelial expression of phosphorylated eNOS, and reduced levels of TM, CD31, and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK). CoPP treatment restored all of these parameters to normal levels. Conclusion Type II DM and its related oxidant damage hamper the interaction between the vascular wall and normal EPCs by mechanisms that are, at least partially, reversed by the induction of HO-1 gene expression, adiponectin, and pAMPK levels. PMID:19038792

  19. Downregulation of Heme Oxygenase 1 (HO-1) Activity in Hematopoietic Cells Enhances Their Engraftment After Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Adamiak, Mateusz; Moore, Joseph B; Zhao, John; Abdelbaset-Ismail, Ahmed; Grubczak, Kamil; Rzeszotek, Sylwia; Wysoczynski, Marcin; Ratajczak, Mariusz Z

    2016-01-01

    Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is an inducible stress-response enzyme that not only catalyzes the degradation of heme (e.g., released from erythrocytes) but also has an important function in various physiological and pathophysiological states associated with cellular stress, such as ischemic/reperfusion injury. HO-1 has a well-documented anti-inflammatory potential, and HO-1 has been reported to have a negative effect on adhesion and migration of neutrophils in acute inflammation in a model of peritonitis. This finding is supported by our recent observation that hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) from HO-1 KO mice are easy mobilizers, since they respond better to peripheral blood chemotactic gradients than wild-type littermates. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that transient inhibition of HO-1 by nontoxic small-molecule inhibitors would enhance migration of HSPCs in response to bone marrow chemoattractants and thereby facilitate their homing. To directly address this issue, we generated several human hematopoietic cell lines in which HO-1 was upregulated or downregulated. We also exposed murine and human BM-derived cells to small-molecule activators and inhibitors of HO-1. Our results indicate that HO-1 is an inhibitor of hematopoietic cell migration in response to crucial BM homing chemoattractants such as stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Most importantly, our in vitro and in vivo animal experiments demonstrate for the first time that transiently inhibiting HO-1 activity in HSPCs by small-molecule inhibitors improves HSPC engraftment. We propose that this simple and inexpensive strategy could be employed in the clinical setting to improve engraftment of HSPCs, particularly in those situations in which the number of HSPCs available for transplant is limited (e.g., when transplanting umbilical cord blood).

  20. Elevating vitamin C content via overexpression of myo-inositol oxygenase and l-gulono-1,4-lactone oxidase in Arabidopsis leads to enhanced biomass and tolerance to abiotic stresses.

    PubMed

    Lisko, Katherine A; Torres, Raquel; Harris, Rodney S; Belisle, Melinda; Vaughan, Martha M; Jullian, Berangère; Chevone, Boris I; Mendes, Pedro; Nessler, Craig L; Lorence, Argelia

    2013-12-01

    l-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an abundant metabolite in plant cells and tissues. Ascorbate functions as an antioxidant, as an enzyme cofactor, and plays essential roles in multiple physiological processes including photosynthesis, photoprotection, control of cell cycle and cell elongation, and modulation of flowering time, gene regulation, and senescence. The importance of this key molecule in regulating whole plant morphology, cell structure, and plant development has been clearly established via characterization of low vitamin C mutants of Arabidopsis , potato, tobacco, tomato, and rice. However, the consequences of elevating ascorbate content in plant growth and development are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that Arabidopsis lines over-expressing a myo -inositol oxygenase or an l-gulono-1,4-lactone oxidase, containing elevated ascorbate, display enhanced growth and biomass accumulation of both aerial and root tissues. To our knowledge this is the first study demonstrating such a marked positive effect in plant growth in lines engineered to contain elevated vitamin C content. In addition, we present evidence showing that these lines are tolerant to a wide range of abiotic stresses including salt, cold, and heat. Total ascorbate content of the transgenic lines remained higher than those of controls under the abiotic stresses tested. Interestingly, exposure to pyrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and known inducer of oxidative stress in plants, leads to stunted growth of the aerial tissue, reduction in the number of root hairs, and inhibition of leaf expansion in wild type plants, while these symptoms are less severe in the over-expressers. Our results indicate the potential of this metabolic engineering strategy to develop crops with enhanced biomass, abiotic stress tolerance, and phytoremediation capabilities.

  1. The Novel Bacterial N-Demethylase PdmAB Is Responsible for the Initial Step of N,N-Dimethyl-Substituted Phenylurea Herbicide Degradation

    PubMed Central

    Gu, Tao; Zhou, Chaoyang; Sørensen, Sebastian R.; Zhang, Ji; He, Jian; Yu, Peiwen; Li, Shunpeng

    2013-01-01

    The environmental fate of phenylurea herbicides has received considerable attention in recent decades. The microbial metabolism of N,N-dimethyl-substituted phenylurea herbicides can generally be initiated by mono-N-demethylation. In this study, the molecular basis for this process was revealed. The pdmAB genes in Sphingobium sp. strain YBL2 were shown to be responsible for the initial mono-N-demethylation of commonly used N,N-dimethyl-substituted phenylurea herbicides. PdmAB is the oxygenase component of a bacterial Rieske non-heme iron oxygenase (RO) system. The genes pdmAB, encoding the α subunit PdmA and the β subunit PdmB, are organized in a transposable element flanked by two direct repeats of an insertion element resembling ISRh1. Furthermore, this transposable element is highly conserved among phenylurea herbicide-degrading sphingomonads originating from different areas of the world. However, there was no evidence of a gene for an electron carrier (a ferredoxin or a reductase) located in the immediate vicinity of pdmAB. Without its cognate electron transport components, expression of PdmAB in Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, and other sphingomonads resulted in a functional enzyme. Moreover, coexpression of a putative [3Fe-4S]-type ferredoxin from Sphingomonas sp. strain RW1 greatly enhanced the catalytic activity of PdmAB in E. coli. These data suggested that PdmAB has a low specificity for electron transport components and that its optimal ferredoxin may be the [3Fe-4S] type. PdmA exhibited low homology to the α subunits of previously characterized ROs (less than 37% identity) and did not cluster with the RO group involved in O- or N-demethylation reactions, indicating that PdmAB is a distinct bacterial RO N-demethylase. PMID:24123738

  2. GT-repeat polymorphism in the heme oxygenase-1 gene promoter is associated with cardiovascular mortality risk in an arsenic-exposed population in northeastern Taiwan

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

    Wu, Meei-Maan, E-mail: mmwu@tmu.edu.t; Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan

    2010-11-01

    Inorganic arsenic has been associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease and mortality in humans. A functional GT-repeat polymorphism in the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene promoter is inversely correlated with the development of coronary artery disease and restenosis after clinical angioplasty. The relationship of HO-1 genotype with arsenic-associated cardiovascular disease has not been studied. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between the HO-1 GT-repeat polymorphism and cardiovascular mortality in an arsenic-exposed population. A total of 504 study participants were followed up for a median of 10.7 years for occurrence of cardiovascular deaths (coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, andmore » peripheral arterial disease). Cardiovascular risk factors and DNA samples for determination of HO-1 GT repeats were obtained at recruitment. GT repeats variants were grouped into the S (< 27 repeats) or L allele ({>=} 27 repeats). Relative mortality risk was estimated using Cox regression analysis, adjusted for competing risk of cancer and other causes. For the L/L, L/S, and S/S genotype groups, the crude mortalities for cardiovascular disease were 8.42, 3.10, and 2.85 cases/1000 person-years, respectively. After adjusting for conventional cardiovascular risk factors and competing risk of cancer and other causes, carriers with class S allele (L/S or S/S genotypes) had a significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to non-carriers (L/L genotype) [OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16-0.90]. In contrast, no significant association was observed between HO-1 genotype and cancer mortality or mortality from other causes. Shorter (GT)n repeats in the HO-1 gene promoter may confer protective effects against cardiovascular mortality related to arsenic exposure.« less

  3. Regulation of human heme oxygenase in endothelial cells by using sense and antisense retroviral constructs

    PubMed Central

    Quan, Shuo; Yang, Liming; Abraham, Nader G.; Kappas, Attallah

    2001-01-01

    Our objective was to determine whether overexpression and underexpression of human heme oxygenase (HHO)-1 could be controlled on a long-term basis by introduction of the HO-1 gene in sense (S) and antisense (AS) orientation with an appropriate vector into endothelial cells. Retroviral vector (LXSN) containing viral long terminal repeat promoter-driven human HO-1 S (LSN-HHO-1) and LXSN vectors containing HHO-1 promoter (HOP)-controlled HHO-1 S and AS (LSN-HOP-HHO-1 and LSN-HOP-HHO-1-AS) sequences were constructed and used to transfect rat lung microvessel endothelial cells (RLMV cells) and human dermal microvessel endothelial cells (HMEC-1 cells). RLMV cells transduced with HHO-1 S expressed human HO-1 mRNA and HO-1 protein associated with elevation in total HO activity compared with nontransduced cells. Vector-mediated expression of HHO-1 S or AS under control of HOP resulted in effective production of HO-1 or blocked induction of endogenous human HO-1 in HMEC-1 cells, respectively. Overexpression of HO-1 AS was associated with a long-term decrease (45%) of endogenous HO-1 protein and an increase (167%) in unmetabolized exogenous heme in HMEC-1 cells. Carbon monoxide (CO) production in HO-1 S- or AS-transduced HMEC-1 cells after heme treatment was increased (159%) or decreased (50%), respectively, compared with nontransduced cells. HO-2 protein levels did not change. These findings demonstrate that HHO-1 S and AS retroviral constructs are functional in enhancing and reducing HO activity, respectively, and thus can be used to regulate cellular heme levels, the activity of heme-dependent enzymes, and the rate of heme catabolism to CO and bilirubin. PMID:11593038

  4. Regulation of human heme oxygenase in endothelial cells by using sense and antisense retroviral constructs.

    PubMed

    Quan, S; Yang, L; Abraham, N G; Kappas, A

    2001-10-09

    Our objective was to determine whether overexpression and underexpression of human heme oxygenase (HHO)-1 could be controlled on a long-term basis by introduction of the HO-1 gene in sense (S) and antisense (AS) orientation with an appropriate vector into endothelial cells. Retroviral vector (LXSN) containing viral long terminal repeat promoter-driven human HO-1 S (LSN-HHO-1) and LXSN vectors containing HHO-1 promoter (HOP)-controlled HHO-1 S and AS (LSN-HOP-HHO-1 and LSN-HOP-HHO-1-AS) sequences were constructed and used to transfect rat lung microvessel endothelial cells (RLMV cells) and human dermal microvessel endothelial cells (HMEC-1 cells). RLMV cells transduced with HHO-1 S expressed human HO-1 mRNA and HO-1 protein associated with elevation in total HO activity compared with nontransduced cells. Vector-mediated expression of HHO-1 S or AS under control of HOP resulted in effective production of HO-1 or blocked induction of endogenous human HO-1 in HMEC-1 cells, respectively. Overexpression of HO-1 AS was associated with a long-term decrease (45%) of endogenous HO-1 protein and an increase (167%) in unmetabolized exogenous heme in HMEC-1 cells. Carbon monoxide (CO) production in HO-1 S- or AS-transduced HMEC-1 cells after heme treatment was increased (159%) or decreased (50%), respectively, compared with nontransduced cells. HO-2 protein levels did not change. These findings demonstrate that HHO-1 S and AS retroviral constructs are functional in enhancing and reducing HO activity, respectively, and thus can be used to regulate cellular heme levels, the activity of heme-dependent enzymes, and the rate of heme catabolism to CO and bilirubin.

  5. Generation and characterization of human heme oxygenase-1 transgenic pigs.

    PubMed

    Yeom, Hye-Jung; Koo, Ok Jae; Yang, Jaeseok; Cho, Bumrae; Hwang, Jong-Ik; Park, Sol Ji; Hurh, Sunghoon; Kim, Hwajung; Lee, Eun Mi; Ro, Han; Kang, Jung Taek; Kim, Su Jin; Won, Jae-Kyung; O'Connell, Philip J; Kim, Hyunil; Surh, Charles D; Lee, Byeong-Chun; Ahn, Curie

    2012-01-01

    Xenotransplantation using transgenic pigs as an organ source is a promising strategy to overcome shortage of human organ for transplantation. Various genetic modifications have been tried to ameliorate xenograft rejection. In the present study we assessed effect of transgenic expression of human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1), an inducible protein capable of cytoprotection by scavenging reactive oxygen species and preventing apoptosis caused by cellular stress during inflammatory processes, in neonatal porcine islet-like cluster cells (NPCCs). Transduction of NPCCs with adenovirus containing hHO-1 gene significantly reduced apoptosis compared with the GFP-expressing adenovirus control after treatment with either hydrogen peroxide or hTNF-α and cycloheximide. These protective effects were diminished by co-treatment of hHO-1 antagonist, Zinc protoporphyrin IX. We also generated transgenic pigs expressing hHO-1 and analyzed expression and function of the transgene. Human HO-1 was expressed in most tissues, including the heart, kidney, lung, pancreas, spleen and skin, however, expression levels and patterns of the hHO-1 gene are not consistent in each organ. We isolate fibroblast from transgenic pigs to analyze protective effect of the hHO-1. As expected, fibroblasts derived from the hHO-1 transgenic pigs were significantly resistant to both hydrogen peroxide damage and hTNF-α and cycloheximide-mediated apoptosis when compared with wild-type fibroblasts. Furthermore, induction of RANTES in response to hTNF-α or LPS was significantly decreased in fibroblasts obtained from the hHO-1 transgenic pigs. These findings suggest that transgenic expression of hHO-1 can protect xenografts when exposed to oxidative stresses, especially from ischemia/reperfusion injury, and/or acute rejection mediated by cytokines. Accordingly, hHO-1 could be an important candidate molecule in a multi-transgenic pig strategy for xenotransplantation.

  6. Characterisation of Anopheles gambiae heme oxygenase and metalloporphyrin feeding suggests a potential role in reproduction.

    PubMed

    Spencer, Christopher S; Yunta, Cristina; de Lima, Glauber Pacelli Gomes; Hemmings, Kay; Lian, Lu-Yun; Lycett, Gareth; Paine, Mark J I

    2018-05-03

    The mosquito Anopheles gambiae is the principal vector for malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. The ability of A. gambiae to transmit malaria is strictly related to blood feeding and digestion, which releases nutrients for oogenesis, as well as substantial amounts of highly toxic free heme. Heme degradation by heme oxygenase (HO) is a common protective mechanism, and a gene for HO exists in the An. gambiae genome HO (AgHO), although it has yet to be functionally examined. Here, we have cloned and expressed An. gambiae HO (AgHO) in E. coli. Purified recombinant AgHO bound hemin stoichiometrically to form a hemin-enzyme complex similar to other HOs, with a K D of 3.9 ± 0.6 μM; comparable to mammalian and bacterial HOs, but 7-fold lower than that of Drosophila melanogaster HO. AgHO also degraded hemin to biliverdin and released CO and iron in the presence of NADPH cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR). Optimal AgHO activity was observed at 27.5 °C and pH 7.5. To investigate effects of AgHO inhibition, adult female A. gambiae were fed heme analogues Sn- and Zn-protoporphyrins (SnPP and ZnPP), known to inhibit HO. These led to a dose dependent decrease in oviposition. Cu-protoporphyrin (CuPP), which does not inhibit HO had no effect. These results demonstrate that AgHO is a catalytically active HO and that it may play a key role in egg production in mosquitoes. It also presents a potential target for the development of compounds aimed at sterilising mosquitoes for vector control. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. The Influence of Smoking on the Variations in Carboxyhemoglobin and Methemoglobin During Urologic Surgery.

    PubMed

    Gavrilovska-Brzanov, Aleksandra; Shosholcheva, Mirjana; Kuzmanovska, Biljana; Kartalov, Andrijan; Mojsova-Mijovska, Maja; Jovanovski-Srceva, Marija; Taleska, Gordana; Brzanov, Nikola; Simeonov, Risto; Miceska, Maja Slaninka

    2017-06-01

    Surgery is supposed to modulate the production of carbon monoxide by the reduction of heme oxygenase activity or transcriptional regulation of inducible heme oxygenase. On the other hand, the inhalation of tobacco smoke can substantially raise the level of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. Furthermore, methemoglobin is maintained at a constant level. However, excessive production of methemoglobin relative to total methemoglobin reductase activity results in methemoglobin increase. The aim of our study was to investigate the perioperative variations of carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin during urologic surgeries, and at the same time to evaluate the changes in methemoglobin as a possible indicator of nitric oxide generation. Our second aim was to evaluate the effect of preoxygenation on the level of carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin and the influence of blood transfusion on their changes. The study included 30 patients scheduled for urologic surgery under general endotracheal anesthesia, aged 18-60 years without any history of respiratory disease, divided into two groups. The study group comprised patients who were smoking cigarettes or tobacco pipe, while the control group included non-smokers. In both groups carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and methemoglobin (MetHb) levels were determined preoperatively, after preoxygenation, and postoperatively. COHb levels were decreased postoperatively in both groups. The average values of COHb between the two groups were statistically significantly different (p=0.00). MetHb levels increased postoperatively in the group of smokers and decreased in the group of non-smokers. There were no statistically significant differences in the average postoperative MetHb levels between the two groups. Changes in carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin concentrations in arterial blood occur during urologic surgery, although these amplitudes are small when compared with carbon monoxide intoxication and methemoglobinemia. It is likely that organ perfusion and functions are affected by these monoxide gas mediators during urologic surgery.

  8. Compound-specific Isotope Analysis of Cyanobacterial Pure cultures and Microbial Mats: Effects of Photorespiration?

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jahnke, L. L.; Summons, R. E.

    2006-01-01

    Microbial mats are considered modern homologs of Precambrian stromatolites. The carbon isotopic compositions of organic matter and biomarker lipids provide clues to the depositional environments of ancient mat ecosystems. As the source of primary carbon fixation for over two billion years, an understanding of cyanobacterial lipid biosynthesis, associated isotopic discriminations, and the influence of physiological factors on growth and isotope expression is essential to help us compare modern microbial ecosystems to their ancient counterparts. Here, we report on the effects of photorespiration (PR) on the isotopic composition of cyanobacteria and biomarker lipids, and on potential PR effects associated with the composition of various microbial mats. The high light, high O2 and limiting CO2 conditions often present at the surface of microbial mats are known to support PR in cyanobacteria. The oxygenase function of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase can result in photoexcretion of glycolate and subsequent degration by heterotrophic bacteria. We have found evidence which supports an isotopic depletion (increased apparent E) scaled to O2 level associated with growth of Phormidium luridum at low CO2 concentrations (less than 0.04%). Similar to previous studies, isotopic differences between biomass and lipid biomarkers, and between lipid classes were positively correlated with overall fractionation, and should provide a means of estimating the influence of PR on overall isotopic composition of microbial mats. Several examples of microbial mats growing in the hydrothermal waters of Yellowstone National Park and the hypersaline marine evaporation ponds at Guerrero Negro, Baja Sur Mexico will be compared with a view to PR as a possible explanation of the relatively heavy C-isotope composition of hypersaline mats.

  9. Sofalcone, a gastric mucosa protective agent, increases vascular endothelial growth factor via the Nrf2-heme-oxygenase-1 dependent pathway in gastric epithelial cells

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

    Shibuya, Akiko; Onda, Kenji, E-mail: knjond@toyaku.ac.jp; Kawahara, Hirofumi

    2010-07-30

    Research highlights: {yields} Sofalcone increases HO-1 in gastric epithelial cells. {yields} The induction of HO-1 by sofalcone treatment follows the activation of Nrf2. {yields} The production of VEGF by sofalcone treatment is mediated by HO-1 induction. -- Abstract: Sofalcone, 2'-carboxymethoxy-4,4-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)chalcone, is an anti-ulcer agent that is classified as a gastric mucosa protective agent. Recent studies indicate heat shock proteins such as HSP32, also known as heme-oxygenase-1(HO-1), play important roles in protecting gastrointestinal tissues from several stresses. We have previously reported that sofalcone increases the expression of HO-1 in adipocytes and pre-adipocytes, although the effect of sofalcone on HO-1 induction inmore » gastrointestinal tissues is not clear. In the current study, we investigated the effects of sofalcone on the expression of HO-1 and its functional role in rat gastric epithelial (RGM-1) cells. We found that sofalcone increased HO-1 expression in RGM-1 cells in both time- and concentration-dependent manners. The HO-1 induction was associated with the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) in RGM-1 cells. We also observed that sofalcone increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in the culture medium. Treatment of RGM-1 cells with an HO-1 inhibitor (tin-protoporphyrin), or HO-1 siRNA inhibited sofalcone-induced VEGF production, suggesting that the effect of sofalcone on VEGF expression is mediated by the HO-1 pathway. These results suggest that the gastroprotective effects of sofalcone are partly exerted via Nrf2-HO-1 activation followed by VEGF production.« less

  10. Heme oxygenase-1 induction alters chemokine regulation and ameliorates human immunodeficiency virus-type-1 infection in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages

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

    Zhou, Zhao-Hua; Kumari, Namita; Nekhai, Sergei

    2013-06-07

    Highlights: •Lipopolysaccharide stimulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) ameliorated HIV-1 infection of primary human macrophages. •The partial protection by HO-1 against HIV infection was associated with induction of chemokines such as MIP1α and MIP1β. •This mechanism explains lipopolysaccharide-stimulated HO-1-mediated inhibition of HIV-1 infection of macrophages. -- Abstract: We have elucidated a putative mechanism for the host resistance against HIV-1 infection of primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We show that LPS-activated MDM both inhibited HIV-1 entry into the cells and were refractory to post-entry productive viral replication. LPS-treated cells were virtually negative for mature virions as revealed bymore » transmission electron microscopy. LPS activation of MDM markedly enhanced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a potent inducible cytoprotective enzyme. Increased HO-1 expression was accompanied by elevated production of macrophage inflammatory chemokines (MIP1α and MIP1β) by LPS-activated MDM, significantly decreased surface chemokine receptor-5 (CCR-5) expression, and substantially reduced virus replication. Treatment of cells with HO-1 inhibitor SnPP IX (tin protoporphyrin IX) attenuated the LPS-mediated responses, HIV-1 replication and secretion of MIP1α, MIP1β, and LD78β chemokines with little change in surface CCR-5 expression. These results identify a novel role for HO-1 in the modulation of host immune response against HIV infection of MDM.« less

  11. Specific dietary polyphenols attenuate atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice by alleviating inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.

    PubMed

    Loke, Wai Mun; Proudfoot, Julie M; Hodgson, Jonathan M; McKinley, Allan J; Hime, Neil; Magat, Maria; Stocker, Roland; Croft, Kevin D

    2010-04-01

    Animal and clinical studies have suggested that polyphenols in fruits, red wine, and tea may delay the development of atherosclerosis through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated whether individual dietary polyphenols representing different polyphenolic classes, namely quercetin (flavonol), (-)-epicatechin (flavan-3-ol), theaflavin (dimeric catechin), sesamin (lignan), or chlorogenic acid (phenolic acid), reduce atherosclerotic lesion formation in the apolipoprotein E (ApoE)(-/-) gene-knockout mouse. Quercetin and theaflavin (64-mg/kg body mass daily) significantly attenuated atherosclerotic lesion size in the aortic sinus and thoracic aorta (P<0.05 versus ApoE(-/-) control mice). Quercetin significantly reduced aortic F(2)-isoprostane, vascular superoxide, vascular leukotriene B(4), and plasma-sP-selectin concentrations; and augmented vascular endothelial NO synthase activity, heme oxygenase-1 protein, and urinary nitrate excretion (P<0.05 versus control ApoE(-/-) mice). Theaflavin showed similar, although less extensive, significant effects. Although (-)-epicatechin significantly reduced F(2)-isoprostane, superoxide, and endothelin-1 production (P<0.05 versus control ApoE(-/-) mice), it had no significant effect on lesion size. Sesamin and chlorogenic acid treatments exerted no significant effects. Quercetin, but not (-)-epicatechin, significantly increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 protein in lesions versus ApoE(-/-) controls. Specific dietary polyphenols, in particular quercetin and theaflavin, may attenuate atherosclerosis in ApoE(-/-) gene-knockout mice by alleviating inflammation, improving NO bioavailability, and inducing heme oxygenase-1. These data suggest that the cardiovascular protection associated with diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and some beverages may in part be the result of flavonoids, such as quercetin.

  12. Metabolic engineering of the Chl d-dominated cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina: production of a novel Chl species by the introduction of the chlorophyllide a oxygenase gene.

    PubMed

    Tsuchiya, Tohru; Mizoguchi, Tadashi; Akimoto, Seiji; Tomo, Tatsuya; Tamiaki, Hitoshi; Mimuro, Mamoru

    2012-03-01

    In oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, the properties of photosynthetic reaction systems primarily depend on the Chl species used. Acquisition of new Chl species with unique optical properties may have enabled photosynthetic organisms to adapt to various light environments. The artificial production of a new Chl species in an existing photosynthetic organism by metabolic engineering provides a model system to investigate how an organism responds to a newly acquired pigment. In the current study, we established a transformation system for a Chl d-dominated cyanobacterium, Acaryochloris marina, for the first time. The expression vector (constructed from a broad-host-range plasmid) was introduced into A. marina by conjugal gene transfer. The introduction of a gene for chlorophyllide a oxygenase, which is responsible for Chl b biosynthesis, into A. marina resulted in a transformant that synthesized a novel Chl species instead of Chl b. The content of the novel Chl in the transformant was approximately 10% of the total Chl, but the level of Chl a, another Chl in A. marina, did not change. The chemical structure of the novel Chl was determined to be [7-formyl]-Chl d(P) by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. [7-Formyl]-Chl d(P) is hypothesized to be produced by the combined action of chlorophyllide a oxygenase and enzyme(s) involved in Chl d biosynthesis. These results demonstrate the flexibility of the Chl biosynthetic pathway for the production of novel Chl species, indicating that a new organism with a novel Chl might be discovered in the future.

  13. Mechanisms of the antihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa oil in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats

    PubMed Central

    Jaarin, Kamsiah; Foong, Wai Dic; Yeoh, Min Hui; Kamarul, Zaman Yusoff Nik; Qodriyah, Haji Mohd Saad; Azman, Abdullah; Zuhair, Japar Sidik Fadhlullah; Juliana, Abdul Hamid; Kamisah, Yusof

    2015-01-01

    OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to determine whether the blood pressure-lowering effect of Nigella sativa might be mediated by its effects on nitric oxide, angiotensin-converting enzyme, heme oxygenase and oxidative stress markers. METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into 4 groups. One group served as the control (group 1), whereas the other three groups (groups 2-4) were administered L-NAME (25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Groups 3 and 4 were given oral nicardipine daily at a dose of 3 mg/kg and Nigella sativa oil at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg for 8 weeks, respectively, concomitantly with L-NAME administration. RESULTS Nigella sativa oil prevented the increase in systolic blood pressure in the L-NAME-treated rats. The blood pressure reduction was associated with a reduction in cardiac lipid peroxidation product, NADPH oxidase, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and plasma nitric oxide, as well as with an increase in heme oxygenase-1 activity in the heart. The effects of Nigella sativa on blood pressure, lipid peroxidation product, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme were similar to those of nicardipine. In contrast, L-NAME had opposite effects on lipid peroxidation, angiotensin-converting enzyme and NO. CONCLUSION: The antihypertensive effect of Nigella sativa oil appears to be mediated by a reduction in cardiac oxidative stress and angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, an increase in cardiac heme oxygenase-1 activity and a prevention of plasma nitric oxide loss. Thus, Nigella sativa oil might be beneficial for controlling hypertension. PMID:26602523

  14. Gene transfer as a strategy to achieve permanent cardioprotection II: rAAV-mediated gene therapy with heme oxygenase-1 limits infarct size 1 year later without adverse functional consequences.

    PubMed

    Li, Qianhong; Guo, Yiru; Ou, Qinghui; Wu, Wen-Jian; Chen, Ning; Zhu, Xiaoping; Tan, Wei; Yuan, Fangping; Dawn, Buddhadeb; Luo, Li; Hunt, Gregory N; Bolli, Roberto

    2011-11-01

    Extensive evidence indicates that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) exerts potent cytoprotective effects in response to stress. Previous studies have shown that gene therapy with HO-1 protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury for up to 8 weeks after gene transfer. However, the long-term effects of HO-1 gene therapy on myocardial ischemic injury and function are unknown. To address this issue, we created a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector carrying the HO-1 gene (rAAV/HO-1) that enables long-lasting transgene expression. Mice received injections in the anterior LV wall of rAAV/LacZ (LacZ group) or rAAV/HO-1 (HO-1 group); 1 year later, they were subjected to a 30-min coronary occlusion (O) and 4 h of reperfusion (R). Cardiac HO-1 gene expression was confirmed at 1 month and 1 year after gene transfer by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry analyses. In the HO-1 group, infarct size (% of risk region) was dramatically reduced at 1 year after gene transfer (11.2 ± 2.1%, n = 12, vs. 44.7 ± 3.6%, n = 8, in the LacZ group; P < 0.05). The infarct-sparing effects of HO-1 gene therapy at 1 year were as powerful as those observed 24 h after ischemic PC (six 4-min O/4-min R cycles) (15.0 ± 1.7%, n = 10). There were no appreciable changes in LV fractional shortening, LV ejection fraction, or LV end-diastolic or end-systolic diameter at 1 year after HO-1 gene transfer as compared to the age-matched controls or with the LacZ group. Histology showed no inflammation in the myocardium 1 year after rAAV/HO-1-mediated gene transfer. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that rAAV-mediated HO-1 gene transfer confers long-term (1 year), possibly permanent, cardioprotection without adverse functional consequences, providing proof of principle for the concept of achieving prophylactic cardioprotection (i.e., "immunization against infarction").

  15. Anti-inflammatory and heme oxygenase-1 inducing activities of lanostane triterpenes isolated from mushroom Ganoderma lucidum in RAW264.7 cells

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

    Choi, Solip; Nguyen, Van Thu; Tae, Nara

    Ganoderma lucidum is a popular medicinal mushroom used in traditional medicine for preventing or treating a variety of diseases. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 inducing effects of 12 lanostane triterpenes from G. lucidum in RAW264.7 cells. Of these, seven triterpenes, butyl lucidenateE{sub 2}, butyl lucidenateD{sub 2} (GT-2), butyl lucidenate P, butyl lucidenateQ, Ganoderiol F, methyl ganodenate J and butyl lucidenate N induced HO-1 expression and suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. Inhibiting HO-1 activity abrogated the inhibitory effects of these triterpenes on the production of NO in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, suggesting themore » involvement of HO-1 in the anti-inflammatory effects of these triterpenes. We further studied the anti-inflammatory and HO-1 inducing effects of GT-2. Mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors or N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, did not suppress GT-2-mediated HO-1 induction; however, LY294002, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, blocked GT-2-induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression. GT-2 increased nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and knockdown of Nrf2 by small interfering RNA blocked GT-2-mediated HO-1 induction, suggesting that GT-2 induced HO-1 expression via the PI3K/AKT-Nrf2 pathway. Consistent with the notion that HO-1 has anti-inflammatory properties, GT-2 inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. These findings suggest that HO-1 inducing activities of these lanostane triterpenes may be important in the understanding of a novel mechanism for the anti-inflammatory activity of G. lucidum. - Highlights: • The anti-inflammatory effects of selected triterpenes from Ganoderma lucidum are demonstrated. • Heme oxygenase-1 induction is attributable to the anti-inflammatory properties of these triterpenes. • The triterpenes induce heme oxygenase-1 expression via the AKT-Nrf2 pathway. • The mechanism explains the anti-inflammatory effect of triterpenes from G. lucidum.« less

  16. Early graft function and carboxyhemoglobin level in liver transplanted patients.

    PubMed

    Ali, Yasser; Negmi, H; Elmasry, N; Sadek, M; Riaz, A; Al Ouffi, H; Khalaf, H

    2007-10-01

    Heme-Oxygenase-1 catalyzes hemoglobin into bilirubin, iron, and carbon monoxide, a well known vasodilator. Heme-Oxygenase-1 expression and carbon monoxide production as measured by blood carboxyhemoglobin levels, increase in end stage liver disease patients. We hypothesized that there may be a correlation between carboxyhemoglobin level and early graft function in patients undergoing liver transplant surgeries. In a descriptive retrospective study, 39 patients who underwent liver transplantation between the year 2005 and 2006 at KFSH&RC, are included in the study. All patients received general anesthesia with isoflurane in 50% oxygen and air. Levels of oxyhemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin concentration in percentage were recorded at preoperative time, anhepatic phase, end of surgery, ICU admission and 24 hr after surgery. The level of lactic acid, prothrombin time (PT), partial thrombin time (PTT), serum total bilirubin and ammonia were also recorded at ICU admission and 24 hr after surgery. The numbers of blood units transfused were recorded. 39 patients were included in the study with 13/39 for living donor liver transplant (LDLT) compared to 26/39 patients scheduled for deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT). The mean age was 35.9 +/- 16.9 years while the mean body weight was 60.3 +/- 20.9 Kg. Female to male ratio was 21/18. The median packed red blood cell (PRBC) units was 4 (Rang 0-40). There was a significant increase in carboxyhemoglobin level during the anhepatic phase, end of surgery and on ICU admission compared with preoperative value (p<0.005). However, there was insignificant changes in methemoglobin level and significant decrease in oxyhemoglobin levels throughout the study period compared to the preoperative value (p<0.005). The changes in carboxyhemoglobin level on ICU admission and 24 hrs postoperatively were positively correlated with the changes in serum total bilirubin and prothrombin time (R = 0.35, 0.382, 0.325 and 0.31) respectively p<0.05) but not with the changes in serum lactic acid. The same strong correlation was found when analysing LDLT and DDLT patients separately between carboxyhemoglobin concentration and PT and total bilirubin while still the correlation with lactic acid was weak. There was no correlation between average perioperative carboxyhemoglobin concentration during different timing of measurements and average units of transfused blood (R = -0.02) p>0.05. The changes in carboxyhemoglobin level significantly correlate with the Changes in graft functions particularly prothrombin time and serum total bilirubin and may be used as an early, rapid and simple test for early evaluation of graft function.

  17. A "footprint" of plant carbon fixation cycle functions during the development of a heterotrophic fungus.

    PubMed

    Lyu, Xueliang; Shen, Cuicui; Xie, Jiatao; Fu, Yanping; Jiang, Daohong; Hu, Zijin; Tang, Lihua; Tang, Liguang; Ding, Feng; Li, Kunfei; Wu, Song; Hu, Yanping; Luo, Lilian; Li, Yuanhao; Wang, Qihua; Li, Guoqing; Cheng, Jiasen

    2015-08-11

    Carbon fixation pathway of plants (CFPP) in photosynthesis converts solar energy to biomass, bio-products and biofuel. Intriguingly, a large number of heterotrophic fungi also possess enzymes functionally associated with CFPP, raising the questions about their roles in fungal development and in evolution. Here, we report on the presence of 17 CFPP associated enzymes (ten in Calvin-Benson-Basham reductive pentose phosphate pathway and seven in C4-dicarboxylic acid cycle) in the genome of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a heterotrophic phytopathogenic fungus, and only two unique enzymes: ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) and phosphoribulokinase (PRK) were absent. This data suggested an incomplete CFPP-like pathway (CLP) in fungi. Functional profile analysis demonstrated that the activity of the incomplete CLP was dramatically regulated during different developmental stages of S. sclerotiorum. Subsequent experiments confirmed that many of them were essential to the virulence and/or sclerotial formation. Most of the CLP associated genes are conserved in fungi. Phylogenetic analysis showed that many of them have undergone gene duplication, gene acquisition or loss and functional diversification in evolutionary history. These findings showed an evolutionary links in the carbon fixation processes of autotrophs and heterotrophs and implicated the functions of related genes were in course of continuous change in different organisms in evolution.

  18. Hemin induction of HO-1 protects against LPS-induced septic ileus.

    PubMed

    Bortscher, Stephan; Chang, Johannes; Vilz, Tim O; Schäfer, Nico; Sommer, Nils; Wehner, Sven; Kalff, Jörg C; Overhaus, Marcus

    2012-12-01

    Heme oxygenase (HO-1) protects against inflammation. In this study, we investigated the protective function of hemin-induced HO-1 against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ileus. Rats received LPS intraperitoneally 24 h after intraperitoneal hemin pretreatment or placebo. We also injected zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP, 3rd group), an inhibitor of HO-1, intraperitoneally 2 h before LPS administration. To assess intestinal muscle function, we examined muscularis strip contractility in an organ bath and measured gastrointestinal transit in vivo. We investigated inflammation within the muscularis using polymerase chain reaction (interleukin [IL]-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), HO-1 and IL-10) 6 and 24 h after LPS. Hemin significantly improved in vitro intestinal muscularis contractility (P < 0.001). In addition, hemin prevented LPS-induced dysmotility in vivo (gastrointestinal transit, geometric center: 8.39 ± 0.33 versus 5.68 ± 0.44; P < 0.001). In Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP)-treated animals, both parameters were significantly decreased compared with the hemin group. Messenger RNA expression demonstrated a significant reduction in IL-6 (6 h, hemin: 127.6 ± 36.7 versus LPS: 14,431 ± 5407; 24 h: 1.58 ± 0.39 versus 11.15 ± 2.59; P < 0.01) and iNOS (6 h: 2516 ± 985 versus 50,771 ± 13,321; 24 h: 55.11 ± 10.55 versus 257.1 ± 43.18; P < 0.001) in hemin-treated animals. Anti-inflammatory HO-1 messenger RNA levels (6 h, hemin: 116.3 ± 18.55 versus LPS: 26.02 ± 3.64; 24 h: 18.46 ± 2.69 versus 2.80 ± 0.32; P < 0.001) were increased. There was no significant difference in IL-10 levels at 6 and 24 h. ZnPP reversed the anti-inflammatory hemin effects. Hemin induction of HO-1 diminishes LPS-induced sepsis. Heme oxygenase-1 has a central role in preventing sepsis-induced ileus. This benefit is reversed by HO-1 inhibition with ZnPP. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Rubisco activity and regulation as targets for crop improvement

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Rubisco (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase) enables net carbon fixation through the carboxylation of RuBP. However, some characteristics of Rubisco make it surprisingly inefficient and compromise photosynthetic productivity. For example, Rubisco catalyses a wasteful reaction wit...

  20. Environmentally persistent free radical-containing particulate matter competitively inhibits metabolism by cytochrome P450 1A2

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

    Reed, James R., E-mail: rreed@lsuhsc.edu; Cruz, Albert Leo N. dela, E-mail: adelac2@tigers.lsu.edu; Lomnicki, Slawo M., E-mail: slomni1@lsu.edu

    Combustion processes generate different types of particulate matter (PM) that can have deleterious effects on the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems. Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) represent a type of particulate matter that is generated after combustion of environmental wastes in the presence of redox-active metals and aromatic hydrocarbons. Cytochromes P450 (P450/CYP) are membrane-bound enzymes that are essential for the phase I metabolism of most lipophilic xenobiotics. The EPFR formed by chemisorption of 2-monochlorophenol to silica containing 5% copper oxide (MCP230) has been shown to generally inhibit the activities of different forms of P450s without affecting those of cytochrome P450 reductasemore » and heme oxygenase-1. The mechanism of inhibition of rat liver microsomal CYP2D2 and purified rabbit CYP2B4 by MCP230 has been shown previously to be noncompetitive with respect to substrate. In this study, MCP230 was shown to competitively inhibit metabolism of 7-benzyl-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin and 7-ethoxyresorufin by the purified, reconstituted rabbit CYP1A2. MCP230 is at least 5- and 50-fold more potent as an inhibitor of CYP1A2 than silica containing 5% copper oxide and silica, respectively. Thus, even though PM generally inhibit multiple forms of P450, PM interacts differently with the forms of P450 resulting in different mechanisms of inhibition. P450s function as oligomeric complexes within the membrane. We also determined the mechanism by which PM inhibited metabolism by the mixed CYP1A2–CYP2B4 complex and found that the mechanism was purely competitive suggesting that the CYP2B4 is dramatically inhibited when bound to CYP1A2. - Highlights: • Combustion of organic pollutants generates long-lived particulate radicals (EPFRs). • Particulate matter (PM) competitively inhibited CYP1A2 activity. • EPFRs were much more potent CYP1A2 inhibitors than other types of PM. • PM interacts differently with different forms of P450. • PM competitively inhibited metabolism by the mixed CYP1A2–CYP2B4 complex.« less

  1. Biophysical characterization of higher plant Rubisco activase

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Rubisco activase (Rca) is a chaperone-like protein of the AAA+ family, which uses mechanochemical energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to release tightly bound inhibitors from the active site of the primary carbon fixing enzyme ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate oxygenase/carboxylase (Rubisco). Mechanistic and...

  2. The Aspergillus fumigatus siderophore biosynthetic gene sidA, encoding L-ornithine N5-oxygenase, is required for virulence.

    PubMed

    Hissen, Anna H T; Wan, Adrian N C; Warwas, Mark L; Pinto, Linda J; Moore, Margo M

    2005-09-01

    Aspergillus fumigatus is the leading cause of invasive mold infection and is a serious problem in immunocompromised populations worldwide. We have previously shown that survival of A. fumigatus in serum may be related to secretion of siderophores. In this study, we identified and characterized the sidA gene of A. fumigatus, which encodes l-ornithine N(5)-oxygenase, the first committed step in hydroxamate siderophore biosynthesis. A. fumigatus sidA codes for a protein of 501 amino acids with significant homology to other fungal l-ornithine N(5)-oxygenases. A stable DeltasidA strain was created by deletion of A. fumigatus sidA. This strain was unable to synthesize the siderophores N',N",N'''-triacetylfusarinine C (TAF) and ferricrocin. Growth of the DeltasidA strain was the same as that of the wild type in rich media; however, the DeltasidA strain was unable to grow in low-iron defined media or media containing 10% human serum unless supplemented with TAF or ferricrocin. No significant differences in ferric reduction activities were observed between the parental strain and the DeltasidA strain, indicating that blocking siderophore secretion did not result in upregulation of this pathway. Unlike the parental strain, the DeltasidA strain was unable to remove iron from human transferrin. A rescued strain (DeltasidA + sidA) was constructed; it produced siderophores and had the same growth as the wild type on iron-limited media. Unlike the wild-type and rescued strains, the DeltasidA strain was avirulent in a mouse model of invasive aspergillosis, indicating that sidA is necessary for A. fumigatus virulence.

  3. Heme Oxygenase-1 Regulates Matrix Metalloproteinase MMP-1 Secretion and Chondrocyte Cell Death via Nox4 NADPH Oxidase Activity in Chondrocytes

    PubMed Central

    Rousset, Francis; Nguyen, Minh Vu Chuong; Grange, Laurent; Morel, Françoise; Lardy, Bernard

    2013-01-01

    Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) activates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and secretion of MMPs as well as chondrocyte apoptosis. Those events lead to matrix breakdown and are key features of osteoarthritis (OA). We confirmed that in human C-20/A4 chondrocytes the NADPH oxidase Nox4 is the main source of ROS upon IL-1β stimulation. Since heme molecules are essential for the NADPH oxidase maturation and activity, we therefore investigated the consequences of the modulation of Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the limiting enzyme in heme catabolism, on the IL-1β signaling pathway and more specifically on Nox4 activity. Induction of HO-1 expression decreased dramatically Nox4 activity in C-20/A4 and HEK293 T-REx™ Nox4 cell lines. Unexpectedly, this decrease was not accompanied by any change in the expression, the subcellular localization or the maturation of Nox4. In fact, the inhibition of the heme synthesis by succinylacetone rather than heme catabolism by HO-1, led to a confinement of the Nox4/p22phox heterodimer in the endoplasmic reticulum with an absence of redox differential spectrum highlighting an incomplete maturation. Therefore, the downregulation of Nox4 activity by HO-1 induction appeared to be mediated by carbon monoxide (CO) generated from the heme degradation process. Interestingly, either HO-1 or CO caused a significant decrease in the expression of MMP-1 and DNA fragmentation of chondrocytes stimulated by IL-1β. These results all together suggest that a modulation of Nox4 activity via heme oxygenase-1 may represent a promising therapeutic tool in osteoarthritis. PMID:23840483

  4. Camphor revisited: involvement of a unique monooxygenase in metabolism of 2-oxo-delta 3-4,5,5-trimethylcyclopentenylacetic acid by Pseudomonas putida.

    PubMed Central

    Ougham, H J; Taylor, D G; Trudgill, P W

    1983-01-01

    Previously, Pseudomonas putida was shown to degrade (+)-camphor, and cleavage of the first ring of the bicyclic structure involved two monooxygenases (a hydroxylase and a ring oxygen-inserting enzyme), a dehydrogenase, and spontaneous cleavage of an unstable oxygenation product (lactone). Cleavage of the second ring was not demonstrated but was assumed also to occur by ring oxygen insertion, since the predicted oxygenation product was extracted from whole-cell incubation systems. Our investigation established that metabolism of the first ring cleavage intermediate, 2-oxo-delta 3-4,5,5-trimethylcyclopentenylacetic acid, occurred through the sequential action of two inducible enzymes, a coenzyme A ester synthetase and an oxygenase. The oxygenase was purified to homogeneity and had a molecular weight of 106,000. This enzyme carried a single molecule of flavin adenine dinucleotide and consisted of two identical subunits. Iron was not present at a significant level. The oxygenase was specific for NADPH as the electron donor and absolutely specific for the coenzyme A ester of 2-oxo-delta 3-4,5,5-trimethylcyclopentenylacetic acid as the substrate. The reaction stoichiometry was compatible with this enzyme being a monooxygenase, and a mass spectral analysis of the methyl ester of the product confirmed the insertion of a single oxygen atom. The enzyme appeared to be analogous to, although distinct from. 2,5-diketocamphane 1,2-monooxygenase in catalyzing a "biological Baeyer-Villiger" reaction with the formation of a lactone. Structural analogy suggested that this lactone, like the first, was also unstable and susceptible to spontaneous ring opening, although this was not experimentally established. Images PMID:6848481

  5. Effects of single dose and regular intake of green tea (Camellia sinensis) on DNA damage, DNA repair, and heme oxygenase-1 expression in a randomized controlled human supplementation study.

    PubMed

    Ho, Cyrus K; Choi, Siu-wai; Siu, Parco M; Benzie, Iris F F

    2014-06-01

    Regular intake of green tea (Camellia sinensis) lowers DNA damage in humans, but molecular mechanisms of genoprotection are not clear. Protection could be via direct antioxidant effects of tea catechins, but, paradoxically, catechins have pro-oxidant activity in vitro, and it is hypothesized that mechanisms relate to redox-sensitive cytoprotective adaptations. We investigated this hypothesis, focusing particularly on effects on the DNA repair enzyme human oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1), and heme oxygenase-1, a protein that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. A randomized, placebo-controlled, human supplementation study of crossover design was performed. Subjects (n = 16) took a single dose (200 mL of 1.5%, w/v) and 7-days of (2 × 200 mL 1%, w/v per day) green tea (with water as control treatment). Lymphocytic DNA damage was ∼30% (p < 0.001) lower at 60 and 120 min after the single dose and in fasting samples collected after 7-day tea supplementation. Lymphocytic hOGG1 activity was higher (p < 0.0001) at 60 and 120 min after tea ingestion. Significant increases (p < 0.0005) were seen in hOGG1 activity and heme oxygenase-1 after 7 days. Results indicate that molecular triggering of redox-sensitive cytoprotective adaptations and posttranslational changes affecting hOGG1 occur in vivo in response to both a single dose and regular intake of green tea, and contribute to the observed genoprotective effects of green tea. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  6. Induction of hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase by cobalt and other metal ions in rats.

    PubMed Central

    Yoshida, T; Numazawa, S; Kuroiwa, Y

    1986-01-01

    We previously showed that Cd2+ is able to induce hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). In addition to Cd2+, the administration of Co2+ and other metal ions such as Se2+, Zn2+ and Cr2+ produced a significant increase of hepatic and/or renal ODC activity. Of the metal ions used in this study, Co2+ produced the greatest increase of ODC activity. The maximum increases in hepatic and renal ODC activity, to respectively 70 and 14 times the control values in male rats, were observed 6 h after the administration of Co2+. A similar response was seen in the liver, but not in the kidney, of female rats. Thereafter, ODC activity gradually returned to control values in the liver, but it was profoundly decreased to 7% of the control value at 24 h in the kidney. The pretreatment of animals with either actinomycin D or cycloheximide almost completely blocked the Co2+-mediated increase of ODC activity. Co2+ complexed with either cysteine or glutathione (GSH) failed to induce ODC. Depletion of hepatic GSH content by treatment of rats with diethyl maleate greatly enhanced the inducing effect of Co2+ on ODC. The inhibitors of ODC, 1,3-diaminopropane and alpha-difluoromethylornithine, were able to inhibit the induction of the enzyme, without affecting the induction of haem oxygenase by Co2+. Methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), an inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, significantly inhibited the Co2+-mediated induction of both ODC and haem oxygenase. It is suggested that the inducing effects of Co2+ on ODC and haem oxygenase are brought about in a similar manner. PMID:3754136

  7. Structure prediction and activity analysis of human heme oxygenase-1 and its mutant.

    PubMed

    Xia, Zhen-Wei; Zhou, Wen-Pu; Cui, Wen-Jun; Zhang, Xue-Hong; Shen, Qing-Xiang; Li, Yun-Zhu; Yu, Shan-Chang

    2004-08-15

    To predict wild human heme oxygenase-1 (whHO-1) and hHO-1 His25Ala mutant (delta hHO-1) structures, to clone and express them and analyze their activities. Swiss-PdbViewer and Antheprot 5.0 were used for the prediction of structure diversity and physical-chemical changes between wild and mutant hHO-1. hHO-1 His25Ala mutant cDNA was constructed by site-directed mutagenesis in two plasmids of E. coli DH5alpha. Expression products were purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and Q-Sepharose Fast Flow column chromatography, and their activities were measured. rHO-1 had the structure of a helical fold with the heme sandwiched between heme-heme oxygenase-1 helices. Bond angle, dihedral angle and chemical bond in the active pocket changed after Ala25 was replaced by His25, but Ala25 was still contacting the surface and the electrostatic potential of the active pocket was negative. The mutated enzyme kept binding activity to heme. Two vectors pBHO-1 and pBHO-1(M) were constructed and expressed. Ammonium sulphate precipitation and column chromatography yielded 3.6-fold and 30-fold higher purities of whHO-1, respectively. The activity of delta hHO-1 was reduced 91.21% after mutation compared with whHO-1. Proximal His25 ligand is crucial for normal hHO-1 catalytic activity. delta hHO-1 is deactivated by mutation but keeps the same binding site as whHO-1. delta hHO-1 might be a potential inhibitor of whHO-1 for preventing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

  8. Structure prediction and activity analysis of human heme oxygenase-1 and its mutant

    PubMed Central

    Xia, Zhen-Wei; Zhou, Wen-Pu; Cui, Wen-Jun; Zhang, Xue-Hong; Shen, Qing-Xiang; Li, Yun-Zhu; Yu, Shan-Chang

    2004-01-01

    AIM: To predict wild human heme oxygenase-1 (whHO-1) and hHO-1 His25Ala mutant (△hHO-1) structures, to clone and express them and analyze their activities. METHODS: Swiss-PdbViewer and Antheprot 5.0 were used for the prediction of structure diversity and physical-chemical changes between wild and mutant hHO-1. hHO-1 His25Ala mutant cDNA was constructed by site-directed mutagenesis in two plasmids of E. coli DH5α . Expression products were purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and Q-Sepharose Fast Flow column chromatography, and their activities were measured. RESULTS: rHO-1 had the structure of a helical fold with the heme sandwiched between heme-heme oxygenase-1 helices. Bond angle, dihedral angle and chemical bond in the active pocket changed after Ala25 was replaced by His25, but Ala25 was still contacting the surface and the electrostatic potential of the active pocket was negative. The mutated enzyme kept binding activity to heme. Two vectors pBHO-1 and pBHO-1(M) were constructed and expressed. Ammonium sulphate precipitation and column chromatography yielded 3.6-fold and 30-fold higher purities of whHO-1, respectively. The activity of △hHO-1 was reduced 91.21% after mutation compared with whHO-1. CONCLUSION: Proximal His25 ligand is crucial for normal hHO-1 catalytic activity. △hHO-1 is deactivated by mutation but keeps the same binding site as whHO-1. △hHO-1 might be a potential inhibitor of whHO-1 for preventing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. PMID:15285018

  9. Upregulation of human heme oxygenase gene expression by Ets-family proteins.

    PubMed

    Deramaudt, B M; Remy, P; Abraham, N G

    1999-03-01

    Overexpression of human heme oxygenase-1 has been shown to have the potential to promote EC proliferation and angiogenesis. Since Ets-family proteins have been shown to play an important role in angiogenesis, we investigated the presence of ETS binding sites (EBS), GGAA/T, and ETS protein contributing to human HO-1 gene expression. Several chloramphenicol acetyltransferase constructs were examined in order to analyze the effect of ETS family proteins on the transduction of HO-1 in Xenopus oocytes and in microvessel endothelial cells. Heme oxygenase promoter activity was up-regulated by FLI-1ERGETS-1 protein(s). Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assays demonstrated that the promoter region (-1500 to +19) contains positive and negative control elements and that all three members of the ETS protein family were responsible for the up-regulation of HHO-1. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), performed with nuclear extracts from endothelial cells overexpressing HHO-1 gene, and specific HHO-1 oligonucleotides probes containing putative EBS resulted in a specific and marked bandshift. Synergistic binding was observed in EMSA between AP-1 on the one hand, FLI-1, ERG, and ETS-1 protein on the other. Moreover, 5'-deletion analysis demonstrated the existence of a negative control element of HHO-1 expression located between positions -1500 and -120 on the HHO-1 promoter. The presence of regulatory sequences for transcription factors such as ETS-1, FLI-1, or ERG, whose activity is associated with cell proliferation, endothelial cell differentiation, and matrix metalloproteinase transduction, may be an indication of the important role that HO-1 may play in coronary collateral circulation, tumor growth, angiogenesis, and hemoglobin-induced endothelial cell injuries.

  10. Retuning Rieske-type Oxygenases to Expand Substrate Range

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

    Mohammadi, Mahmood; Viger, Jean-François; Kumar, Pravindra

    2012-09-17

    Rieske-type oxygenases are promising biocatalysts for the destruction of persistent pollutants or for the synthesis of fine chemicals. In this work, we explored pathways through which Rieske-type oxygenases evolve to expand their substrate range. BphAE{sub p4}, a variant biphenyl dioxygenase generated from Burkholderia xenovorans LB400 BphAE{sub LB400} by the double substitution T335A/F336M, and BphAE{sub RR41}, obtained by changing Asn{sup 338}, Ile{sup 341}, and Leu{sup 409} of BphAE{sub p4} to Gln{sup 338}, Val{sup 341}, and Phe{sup 409}, metabolize dibenzofuran two and three times faster than BphAE{sub LB400}, respectively. Steady-state kinetic measurements of single- and multiple-substitution mutants of BphAE{sub LB400} showed thatmore » the single T335A and the double N338Q/L409F substitutions contribute significantly to enhanced catalytic activity toward dibenzofuran. Analysis of crystal structures showed that the T335A substitution relieves constraints on a segment lining the catalytic cavity, allowing a significant displacement in response to dibenzofuran binding. The combined N338Q/L409F substitutions alter substrate-induced conformational changes of protein groups involved in subunit assembly and in the chemical steps of the reaction. This suggests a responsive induced fit mechanism that retunes the alignment of protein atoms involved in the chemical steps of the reaction. These enzymes can thus expand their substrate range through mutations that alter the constraints or plasticity of the catalytic cavity to accommodate new substrates or that alter the induced fit mechanism required to achieve proper alignment of reaction-critical atoms or groups.« less

  11. Camphor revisited: involvement of a unique monooxygenase in metabolism of 2-oxo-delta 3-4,5,5-trimethylcyclopentenylacetic acid by Pseudomonas putida.

    PubMed

    Ougham, H J; Taylor, D G; Trudgill, P W

    1983-01-01

    Previously, Pseudomonas putida was shown to degrade (+)-camphor, and cleavage of the first ring of the bicyclic structure involved two monooxygenases (a hydroxylase and a ring oxygen-inserting enzyme), a dehydrogenase, and spontaneous cleavage of an unstable oxygenation product (lactone). Cleavage of the second ring was not demonstrated but was assumed also to occur by ring oxygen insertion, since the predicted oxygenation product was extracted from whole-cell incubation systems. Our investigation established that metabolism of the first ring cleavage intermediate, 2-oxo-delta 3-4,5,5-trimethylcyclopentenylacetic acid, occurred through the sequential action of two inducible enzymes, a coenzyme A ester synthetase and an oxygenase. The oxygenase was purified to homogeneity and had a molecular weight of 106,000. This enzyme carried a single molecule of flavin adenine dinucleotide and consisted of two identical subunits. Iron was not present at a significant level. The oxygenase was specific for NADPH as the electron donor and absolutely specific for the coenzyme A ester of 2-oxo-delta 3-4,5,5-trimethylcyclopentenylacetic acid as the substrate. The reaction stoichiometry was compatible with this enzyme being a monooxygenase, and a mass spectral analysis of the methyl ester of the product confirmed the insertion of a single oxygen atom. The enzyme appeared to be analogous to, although distinct from. 2,5-diketocamphane 1,2-monooxygenase in catalyzing a "biological Baeyer-Villiger" reaction with the formation of a lactone. Structural analogy suggested that this lactone, like the first, was also unstable and susceptible to spontaneous ring opening, although this was not experimentally established.

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

    Waterman, Michael R.

    Our understanding of the classification, function, mechanism, and structure of the enzymes which incorporate atoms of oxygen from atmospheric molecular oxygen during catalysis is based on the thoughtful and technically challenging experiments of two giants in the field of Biochemistry, Howard Mason and Osamu Hayaishi. This volume celebrates the 50th anniversary of the discovery and characterization of these 'oxygenase' enzymes and provides a broad view of how far this area of research has advanced. Professor Hayaishi describes herein his perspective on the background and major discoveries which led to the development of this field. Regrettably Howard Mason passed away atmore » age 88 in 2003. I am indeed fortunate to have been a Ph.D. student with Howard and to have the opportunity to briefly review his role in the development of this field for this special commemorative issue of BBRC.« less

  13. Induction of Vermillion in Pyralid moths using CRISPR mutagenesis

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Eye color mutations have been useful markers of genetic activity or alteration in insect genetics. Complementation or disruption of transport or biosynthesis of ommochrome (brown) or pteridine (red) pigments have provided useful targets for transgenic procedures. Tryptophan oxygenase (To) (EC 1.13.1...

  14. Enzyme catalysis: C-H activation is a Reiske business

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bruner, Steven D.

    2011-05-01

    Enzymes that selectively oxidize unactivated C-H bonds are capable of constructing complex molecules with high efficiency. A new member of this enzyme family is RedG, a Reiske-type oxygenase that catalyses chemically challenging cyclizations in the biosynthesis of prodiginine natural products.

  15. Physiological evidence for plasticity in glycolate/glycerate transport during photorespiration

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Photorespiration recycles fixed carbon following the oxygenation reaction of Ribulose, 1–5, carboxylase oxygenase (Rubisco). The recycling of photorespiratory C2 to C3 intermediates is not perfectly efficient and reduces photosynthesis in C3 plants. Recently, a plastidic lycolate/ glycerate transpo...

  16. Heme oxygenase-1 exacerbates early brain injury after intracerebral haemorrhage

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Jian; Doré, Sylvain

    2008-01-01

    Because heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate limiting enzyme in the degradation of the pro-oxidant hemin/heme from blood, here we investigated the contribution of the inducible HO-1 to early brain injury produced by intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). We found that after induction of ICH, HO-1 proteins were highly detectable in the peri-ICH region predominantly in microglia/macrophages and endothelial cells. Remarkably, the injury volume was significantly smaller in HO-1 knockout (HO-1−/−) mice than in wild-type controls 24 and 72 h after ICH. Although the brain water content did not appear to be significantly different, the protection in HO-1−/− mice was associated with a marked reduction in ICH-induced leucocyte infiltration, microglia/macrophage activation and free radical levels. These data reveal a previously unrecognized role of HO-1 in early brain injury after ICH. Thus, modulation of HO-1 signalling should be assessed further in clinical settings, especially for haemorrhagic states. PMID:17525142

  17. Heme Oxygenase 1 as a Therapeutic Target in Acute Kidney Injury

    PubMed Central

    Bolisetty, Subhashini; Zarjou, Abolfazl; Agarwal, Anupam

    2017-01-01

    A common clinical condition, acute kidney injury (AKI) significantly influences morbidity and mortality, particularly in critically ill patients. The pathophysiology of AKI is complex and involves multiple pathways including inflammation, autophagy, cell cycle progression, and oxidative stress. Recent evidence suggests that a single insult to the kidney significantly enhances the propensity to develop chronic kidney disease. Therefore, generation of effective therapies against AKI are timely. In this context, the cytoprotective effects of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in animal models of AKI are well documented. HO-1 modulates oxidative stress, autophagy, and inflammation, and regulates the progression of cell cycle via direct and indirect mechanisms. These beneficial effects of HO-1 induction during AKI are, in part, mediated by the by-products of the HO reaction (iron, carbon monoxide, and bile pigments). This review highlights the recent advances in the molecular mechanisms of HO-1–mediated cytoprotection and discusses the translational potential of HO-1 induction in AKI. PMID:28139396

  18. Expression of endogenous and foreign ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (RubisCO) genes in a RubisCO deletion mutant of Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

    PubMed Central

    Falcone, D L; Tabita, F R

    1991-01-01

    A Rhodobacter sphaeroides ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (RubisCO) deletion strain was constructed that was complemented by plasmids containing either the form I or form II CO2 fixation gene cluster. This strain was also complemented by genes encoding foreign RubisCO enzymes expressed from a Rhodospirillum rubrum RubisCO promoter. In R. sphaeroides, the R. rubrum promoter was regulated, resulting in variable levels of disparate RubisCO molecules under different growth conditions. Photosynthetic growth of the R. sphaeroides deletion strain complemented with cyanobacterial RubisCO revealed physiological properties reflective of the unique cellular environment of the cyanobacterial enzyme. The R. sphaeroides RubisCO deletion strain and R. rubrum promoter system may be used to assess the properties of mutagenized proteins in vivo, as well as provide a potential means to select for altered RubisCO molecules after random mutagenesis of entire genes or gene regions encoding RubisCO enzymes. Images PMID:1900508

  19. Discovery and characterization of a new family of lytic polysaccharide mono-oxygenases

    PubMed Central

    Hemsworth, Glyn R.; Henrissat, Bernard; Davies, Gideon J.; Walton, Paul H.

    2014-01-01

    Lytic polysaccharide mono-oxygenases (LPMOs) are a recently discovered class of enzymes capable of oxidizing recalcitrant polysaccharides. They currently attract much attention due to their potential use in biomass conversion, notably in the production of biofuels. Past work has identified two discrete sequence-based families of these enzymes termed AA9 (formerly GH61) and AA10 (formerly CBM33). Here we report the discovery of a third family of LPMOs. Using a chitin-degrading exemplar from Aspergillus oryzae, we show that the 3-D structure of the enzyme shares some features of the previous two classes of LPMOs, including a copper active centre featuring the histidine brace active site, but is distinct in terms of its active site details and its EPR spectroscopy. The new AA11 family expands the LPMO clan with the potential to broaden both the range of potential substrates and the types of reactive copper-oxygen species formed at the active site of LPMOs. PMID:24362702

  20. Small oligomers of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activase are required for biological activity.

    PubMed

    Keown, Jeremy R; Griffin, Michael D W; Mertens, Haydyn D T; Pearce, F Grant

    2013-07-12

    Ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activase uses the energy from ATP hydrolysis to remove tight binding inhibitors from Rubisco, thus playing a key role in regulating photosynthesis in plants. Although several structures have recently added much needed structural information for different Rubisco activase enzymes, the arrangement of these subunits in solution remains unclear. In this study, we use a variety of techniques to show that Rubisco activase forms a wide range of structures in solution, ranging from monomers to much higher order species, and that the distribution of these species is highly dependent on protein concentration. The data support a model in which Rubisco activase forms an open spiraling structure rather than a closed hexameric structure. At protein concentrations of 1 μM, corresponding to the maximal activity of the enzyme, Rubisco activase has an oligomeric state of 2-4 subunits. We propose a model in which Rubisco activase requires at least 1 neighboring subunit for hydrolysis of ATP.

  1. Small Oligomers of Ribulose-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase (Rubisco) Activase Are Required for Biological Activity

    PubMed Central

    Keown, Jeremy R.; Griffin, Michael D. W.; Mertens, Haydyn D. T.; Pearce, F. Grant

    2013-01-01

    Ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activase uses the energy from ATP hydrolysis to remove tight binding inhibitors from Rubisco, thus playing a key role in regulating photosynthesis in plants. Although several structures have recently added much needed structural information for different Rubisco activase enzymes, the arrangement of these subunits in solution remains unclear. In this study, we use a variety of techniques to show that Rubisco activase forms a wide range of structures in solution, ranging from monomers to much higher order species, and that the distribution of these species is highly dependent on protein concentration. The data support a model in which Rubisco activase forms an open spiraling structure rather than a closed hexameric structure. At protein concentrations of 1 μm, corresponding to the maximal activity of the enzyme, Rubisco activase has an oligomeric state of 2–4 subunits. We propose a model in which Rubisco activase requires at least 1 neighboring subunit for hydrolysis of ATP. PMID:23720775

  2. The effect of curcumin on insulin release in rat-isolated pancreatic islets.

    PubMed

    Abdel Aziz, Mohamed T; El-Asmar, Mohamed F; El Nadi, Essam G; Wassef, Mohamed A; Ahmed, Hanan H; Rashed, Laila A; Obaia, Eman M; Sabry, Dina; Hassouna, Amira A; Abdel Aziz, Ahmed T

    2010-08-01

    Curcumin exerts a hypoglycemic action and induces heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1). We evaluated the effect of curcumin on isolated islets of Langerhans and studied whether its action on insulin secretion is mediated by inducible HO-1. Islets were isolated from rats and divided into control islets, islets incubated in different curcumin concentrations, islets incubated in hemin, islets incubated in curcumin and HO inhibitor, stannous mesoporphyrin (SnMP), islets incubated in hemin and SnMP, islets incubated in SnMP only, and islets incubated in 16.7 mmol/L glucose. Heme-oxygenase activity, HO-1 expression, and insulin estimation was assessed. Insulin secretion, HO-1 gene expression and HO activity were significantly increased in islets incubated in curcumin, hemin, and glucose compared with controls. This increase in insulin secretion was significantly decreased by incubation of islets in SnMP. The action of curcumin on insulin secretion from the isolated islets may be, in part, mediated through increased HO-1 gene expression.

  3. Beyond gastric acid reduction: Proton pump inhibitors induce heme oxygenase-1 in gastric and endothelial cells

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

    Becker, Jan C.; Grosser, Nina; Waltke, Christian

    2006-07-07

    Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been demonstrated to prevent gastric mucosal injury by mechanisms independent of acid inhibition. Here we demonstrate that both omeprazole and lansoprazole protect human gastric epithelial and endothelial cells against oxidative stress. This effect was abrogated in the presence of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitor ZnBG. Exposure to either PPI resulted in a strong induction of HO-1 expression on mRNA and protein level, and led to an increased activity of this enzyme. Expression of cyclooxygenase isoforms 1 and 2 remained unaffected, and COX-inhibitors did not antagonize HO-1 induction by PPIs. Our results suggest that the antioxidantmore » defense protein HO-1 is a target of PPIs in both endothelial and gastric epithelial cells. HO-1 induction might account for the gastroprotective effects of PPIs independently of acid inhibition, especially in NSAID gastropathy. Moreover, our findings provide additional perspectives for a possible but yet unexplored use of PPIs in vasoprotection.« less

  4. Acquisition of exogenous haem is essential for tick reproduction

    PubMed Central

    Perner, Jan; Sobotka, Roman; Sima, Radek; Konvickova, Jitka; Sojka, Daniel; de Oliveira, Pedro Lagerblad; Hajdusek, Ondrej; Kopacek, Petr

    2016-01-01

    Haem and iron homeostasis in most eukaryotic cells is based on a balanced flux between haem biosynthesis and haem oxygenase-mediated degradation. Unlike most eukaryotes, ticks possess an incomplete haem biosynthetic pathway and, together with other (non-haematophagous) mites, lack a gene encoding haem oxygenase. We demonstrated, by membrane feeding, that ticks do not acquire bioavailable iron from haemoglobin-derived haem. However, ticks require dietary haemoglobin as an exogenous source of haem since, feeding with haemoglobin-depleted serum led to aborted embryogenesis. Supplementation of serum with haemoglobin fully restored egg fertility. Surprisingly, haemoglobin could be completely substituted by serum proteins for the provision of amino-acids in vitellogenesis. Acquired haem is distributed by haemolymph carrier protein(s) and sequestered by vitellins in the developing oocytes. This work extends, substantially, current knowledge of haem auxotrophy in ticks and underscores the importance of haem and iron metabolism as rational targets for anti-tick interventions. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.12318.001 PMID:26949258

  5. An investigation of the iron-sulphur proteins of benzene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas putida by electron-spin-resonance spectroscopy.

    PubMed Central

    Geary, P J; Saboowalla, F; Patil, D; Cammack, R

    1984-01-01

    Benzene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas putida comprises three components, namely a flavoprotein (NADH:ferredoxin oxidoreductase; Mr 81000), an intermediate electron-transfer protein, or ferredoxin (Mr 12000) with a [2Fe-2S] cluster, and a terminal dioxygenase containing two [2Fe-2S] iron-sulphur clusters (Mr 215000), which requires two additional Fe2+ atoms/molecule for oxygenase activity. The ferredoxin and the dioxygenase give e.s.r. signals in the reduced state with rhombic symmetry and average g values of 1.92 and 1.896 respectively. The mid-point redox potentials were determined by e.s.r. titration at pH 7.0 to be -155 mV and -112 mV respectively. The signal from the dioxygenase shows pronounced g anisotropy and most closely resembles those of 4-methoxybenzoate mono-oxygenase from Pseudomonas putida and the [2Fe-2S] 'Rieske' proteins of the quinone-cytochrome c region of electron-transport chains of respiration and photosynthesis. PMID:6324743

  6. Heme Oxygenase 1 and 2 Common Genetic Variants and Risk for Essential Tremor

    PubMed Central

    Ayuso, Pedro; Agúndez, José A.G.; Alonso-Navarro, Hortensia; Martínez, Carmen; Benito-León, Julián; Ortega-Cubero, Sara; Lorenzo-Betancor, Oswaldo; Pastor, Pau; López-Alburquerque, Tomás; García-Martín, Elena; Jiménez-Jiménez, Félix J.

    2015-01-01

    Abstract Several reports suggested a role of heme oxygenase genes 1 and 2 (HMOX1 and HMOX2) in modifying the risk to develop Parkinson disease (PD). Because essential tremor (ET) and PD share phenotypical and, probably, etiologic factors of the similarities, we analyzed whether such genes are related with the risk to develop ET. We analyzed the distribution of allelic and genotype frequencies of the HMOX1 rs2071746, HMOX1 rs2071747, HMOX2 rs2270363, and HMOX2 rs1051308 single nucleotide polymorphisms, as well as the presence of copy number variations of these genes in 202 subjects with familial ET and 747 healthy controls. Allelic frequencies of rs2071746T and rs1051308G were significantly lower in ET patients than in controls. None of the studied polymorphisms influenced the disease onset. The present study suggests a weak association between HMOX1 rs2071746 and HMOX2 rs1051308 polymorphisms and the risk to develop ET in the Spanish population. PMID:26091465

  7. Heme Oxygenase 1 and 2 Common Genetic Variants and Risk for Essential Tremor.

    PubMed

    Ayuso, Pedro; Agúndez, José A G; Alonso-Navarro, Hortensia; Martínez, Carmen; Benito-León, Julián; Ortega-Cubero, Sara; Lorenzo-Betancor, Oswaldo; Pastor, Pau; López-Alburquerque, Tomás; García-Martín, Elena; Jiménez-Jiménez, Félix J

    2015-06-01

    Several reports suggested a role of heme oxygenase genes 1 and 2 (HMOX1 and HMOX2) in modifying the risk to develop Parkinson disease (PD). Because essential tremor (ET) and PD share phenotypical and, probably, etiologic factors of the similarities, we analyzed whether such genes are related with the risk to develop ET. We analyzed the distribution of allelic and genotype frequencies of the HMOX1 rs2071746, HMOX1 rs2071747, HMOX2 rs2270363, and HMOX2 rs1051308 single nucleotide polymorphisms, as well as the presence of copy number variations of these genes in 202 subjects with familial ET and 747 healthy controls. Allelic frequencies of rs2071746T and rs1051308G were significantly lower in ET patients than in controls. None of the studied polymorphisms influenced the disease onset. The present study suggests a weak association between HMOX1 rs2071746 and HMOX2 rs1051308 polymorphisms and the risk to develop ET in the Spanish population.

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

    Rejda, J.M.; Johal, S.; Chollet, R.

    Homogeneous preparations of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase were isolated from several diploid and tetraploid cultivars of perennial ryegrass by three different purification protocols. The apparent K/sub m/ values for substrate CO/sub 2/ were essentially identical for the fully CO/sub 2//Mg/sup 2 +/-activated diploid and tetraploid enzymes, as were the kinetics for deactivation and activation of the CO/sub 2//Mg/sup 2 +/-activated and -depleted carboxylases, respectively. Similarly, virtually indistinguishable electrophoretic properties were observed for both the native and dissociated diploid and tetraploid ryegrass proteins, including native and subunit molecular weights and the isoelectric points of the native proteins and the large and smallmore » subunit component polypeptides. The quantity of carboxylase protein or total soluble leaf protein did not differ significantly between the diploid and tetraploid cultivars. Contrary to a previous report, these results indicate that increased ploidy level has had essentially no effect on the quantity or enzymic and physicochemical properties of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in perennial ryegrass.« less

  9. Xenon treatment attenuates early renal allograft injury associated with prolonged hypothermic storage in rats.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Hailin; Yoshida, Akira; Xiao, Wei; Ologunde, Rele; O'Dea, Kieran P; Takata, Masao; Tralau-Stewart, Catherine; George, Andrew J T; Ma, Daqing

    2013-10-01

    Prolonged hypothermic storage elicits severe ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) to renal grafts, contributing to delayed graft function (DGF) and episodes of acute immune rejection and shortened graft survival. Organoprotective strategies are therefore needed for improving long-term transplant outcome. The aim of this study is to investigate the renoprotective effect of xenon on early allograft injury associated with prolonged hypothermic storage. Xenon exposure enhanced the expression of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP-70) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and promoted cell survival after hypothermia-hypoxia insult in human proximal tubular (HK-2) cells, which was abolished by HSP-70 or HO-1 siRNA. In the brown Norway to Lewis rat renal transplantation, xenon administered to donor or recipient decreased the renal tubular cell death, inflammation, and MHC II expression, while delayed graft function (DGF) was therefore reduced. Pathological changes associated with acute rejection, including T-cell, macrophage, and fibroblast infiltration, were also decreased with xenon treatment. Donors or recipients treated with xenon in combination with cyclosporin A had prolonged renal allograft survival. Xenon protects allografts against delayed graft function, attenuates acute immune rejection, and enhances graft survival after prolonged hypothermic storage. Furthermore, xenon works additively with cyclosporin A to preserve post-transplant renal function.

  10. Activation of Rubisco by activase in leaf extracts

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The activation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) is catalyzed by a chaperone called Rubisco activase. Rubisco activation is an early target of moderate heat stress, due largely to the acute sensitivity of Rubisco activase to thermal inactivation. In the past, assay...

  11. Structural Changes Associated with the Acute Thermal Instability of Rubisco Activase

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The inhibition of photosynthesis at moderately high temperatures has been linked to a decrease in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activation. This decrease is thought to be a consequence of the thermal instability of Rubisco’s chaperone, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxyla...

  12. Bioinorganic Chemical Modeling of Dioxygen-Activating Copper Proteins.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Karlin, Kenneth D.; Gultneh, Yilma

    1985-01-01

    Discusses studies done in modeling the copper centers in the proteins hemocyanin (a dioxygen carrier), tyrosinase, and dopamine beta-hydroxylase. Copper proteins, model approach in copper bioinorganic chemistry, characterization of reversible oxygen carriers and dioxygen-metal complexes, a copper mono-oxygenase model reaction, and other topics are…

  13. Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1 Deficiency and Associated Glutamate-Mediated Neurotoxicity Is a Highly Conserved HIV Phenotype of Chronic Macrophage Infection That Is Resistant to Antiretroviral Therapy

    PubMed Central

    Kovacsics, Colleen E.; Vance, Patricia J.; Collman, Ronald G.

    2015-01-01

    ABSTRACT Expression of the cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is significantly reduced in the brain prefrontal cortex of HIV-positive individuals with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Furthermore, this HO-1 deficiency correlates with brain viral load, markers of macrophage activation, and type I interferon responses. In vitro, HIV replication in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) selectively reduces HO-1 protein and RNA expression and induces production of neurotoxic levels of glutamate; correction of this HO-1 deficiency reduces neurotoxic glutamate production without an effect on HIV replication. We now demonstrate that macrophage HO-1 deficiency, and the associated neurotoxin production, is a conserved feature of infection with macrophage-tropic HIV-1 strains that correlates closely with the extent of replication, and this feature extends to HIV-2 infection. We further demonstrate that this HO-1 deficiency does not depend specifically upon the HIV-1 accessory genes nef, vpr, or vpu but rather on HIV replication, even when markedly limited. Finally, antiretroviral therapy (ART) applied to MDM after HIV infection is established does not prevent HO-1 loss or the associated neurotoxin production. This work defines a predictable relationship between HIV replication, HO-1 loss, and neurotoxin production in MDM that likely reflects processes in place in the HIV-infected brains of individuals receiving ART. It further suggests that correcting this HO-1 deficiency in HIV-infected MDM could provide neuroprotection above that provided by current ART or proposed antiviral therapies directed at limiting Nef, Vpr, or Vpu functions. The ability of HIV-2 to reduce HO-1 expression suggests that this is a conserved phenotype among macrophage-tropic human immunodeficiency viruses that could contribute to neuropathogenesis. IMPORTANCE The continued prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) underscores the need for adjunctive therapy that targets the neuropathological processes that persist in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated HIV-infected individuals. To this end, we previously identified one such possible process, a deficiency of the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the brains of individuals with HAND. In the present study, our findings suggest that the HO-1 deficiency associated with excess glutamate production and neurotoxicity in HIV-infected macrophages is a highly conserved phenotype of macrophage-tropic HIV strains and that this phenotype can persist in the macrophage compartment in the presence of ART. This suggests a plausible mechanism by which HIV infection of brain macrophages in ART-treated individuals could exacerbate oxidative stress and glutamate-induced neuronal injury, each of which is associated with neurocognitive dysfunction in infected individuals. Thus, therapies that rescue the HO-1 deficiency in HIV-infected individuals could provide additional neuroprotection to ART. PMID:26269184

  14. STATINS MORE THAN CHOLESTEROL LOWERING AGENTS IN ALZHEIMER DISEASE: THEIR PLEIOTROPIC FUNCTIONS AS POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC TARGETS

    PubMed Central

    Barone, Eugenio; Domenico, Fabio Di; Butterfield, D. Allan

    2013-01-01

    Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe cognitive impairment, inability to perform activities of daily living and mood changes. Statins, long known to be beneficial in conditions where dyslipidemia occurs by lowering serum cholesterol levels, also have been proposed for use in neurodegenerative conditions, including AD. However, it is not clear that the purported effectiveness of statins in neurodegenerative disorders is directly related to cholesterol-lowering effects of these agents; rather, the pleiotropic functions of statins likely play critical roles. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on the new discoveries about the effects of statin therapy on the oxidative ad nitrosative stress levels as well as on the modulation of the heme oxygenase/biliverdin reductase (HO/BVR) system in the brain. We propose a novel mechanism of action for atorvastatin which, through the activation of HO/BVR-A system, may contribute to the neuroprotective effects thus suggesting a potential therapeutic role in AD and potentially accounting for the observation of decreased AD incidence with persons on statin. PMID:24231510

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

    Spreitzer, Robert J.

    CO{sub 2} and O{sub 2} are mutually competitive at the active site of ribulose-1,5-biphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). Rubisco contains two subunits, each present in eight copies. The 15-kD small subunit is coded by a family of nuclear RbcS genes. Until now, the role of the small subunit in Rubisco structure or catalytic efficiency is not known. Because of other work in eliminating the two RbcS genes in the green algo Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, it is now possible to address questions about the structure-function relationships of the eukaryotic small subunit. There are three specific aims in this project: (1) Alanine scanning mutagenesismore » is being used to dissect the importance of the {beta}A/{beta}B loop, a feature unique to the eukaryotic small subunit. (2) Random mutagenesis is being used to identify additional residues or regions of the small subunit that are important for holoenzyme assembly and function. (3) Attempts are being made to express foreign small subunits in Chlamydomonas to examine the contribution of small subunits to holoenzyme assembly, catalytic efficiency, and CO{sub 2}/O{sub 2} specificity.« less

  16. 21 CFR 343.80 - Professional labeling.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ..., randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled trials of predominantly male post-MI subjects and one randomized... group on the aspirin molecule. This acetyl group is responsible for the inactivation of cyclo-oxygenase... event rate was reduced to 5 percent from the 10 percent rate in the placebo group. Chronic Stable Angina...

  17. 21 CFR 343.80 - Professional labeling.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ..., randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled trials of predominantly male post-MI subjects and one randomized... group on the aspirin molecule. This acetyl group is responsible for the inactivation of cyclo-oxygenase... event rate was reduced to 5 percent from the 10 percent rate in the placebo group. Chronic Stable Angina...

  18. 21 CFR 343.80 - Professional labeling.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ..., randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled trials of predominantly male post-MI subjects and one randomized... group on the aspirin molecule. This acetyl group is responsible for the inactivation of cyclo-oxygenase... event rate was reduced to 5 percent from the 10 percent rate in the placebo group. Chronic Stable Angina...

  19. 21 CFR 343.80 - Professional labeling.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ..., randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled trials of predominantly male post-MI subjects and one randomized... group on the aspirin molecule. This acetyl group is responsible for the inactivation of cyclo-oxygenase... event rate was reduced to 5 percent from the 10 percent rate in the placebo group. Chronic Stable Angina...

  20. 21 CFR 343.80 - Professional labeling.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ..., randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled trials of predominantly male post-MI subjects and one randomized... group on the aspirin molecule. This acetyl group is responsible for the inactivation of cyclo-oxygenase... event rate was reduced to 5 percent from the 10 percent rate in the placebo group. Chronic Stable Angina...

  1. Oxygenase-Catalyzed Biodegradation of Emerging Water Contaminants: 1,4-Dioxane and N-Nitrosodimethylamine

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-02-01

    and treat operations (54, 144). Aitchison et al. (1) have reported phytoremediation of dioxane by hybrid poplar trees. In their laboratory studies... Phytoremediation of 1,4-dioxane by hybrid poplar trees. Water Environ. Res. 72:313-321. 2. Alber, B. E. 2011. Biotechnological potential of the

  2. EFFECTS OF TRIBUTYLTIN CHLORIDE IN VITRO ON THE HEPATIC MICROSOMAL MONO-OXYGENASE SYSTEM IN THE FISH STENOTOMUS CHRYSOPS. (R823881)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Concl...

  3. Manipulating photorespiration to increase plant productivity. Recent advances and perspectives for crop improvement

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Recycling of the 2-phosphoglycolate generated by the oxygenase reaction of Rubisco requires a complex and energy-consuming set of reactions collectively known as the photorespiratory cycle. Several approaches have been proposed with the aim of producing plants with reduced rates of photorespiratory ...

  4. Code Mixing and Modernization across Cultures.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kamwangamalu, Nkonko M.

    A review of recent studies addressed the functional uses of code mixing across cultures. Expressions of code mixing (CM) are not random; in fact, a number of functions of code mixing can easily be delineated, for example, the concept of "modernization.""Modernization" is viewed with respect to how bilingual code mixers perceive…

  5. Plastid transformation for Rubisco engineering and protocols for assessing expression.

    PubMed

    Whitney, Spencer M; Sharwood, Robert E

    2014-01-01

    The assimilation of CO2 within chloroplasts is catalyzed by the bi-functional enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, Rubisco. Within higher plants the Rubisco large subunit gene, rbcL, is encoded in the plastid genome, while the Rubisco small subunit gene, RbcS is coded in the nucleus by a multi-gene family. Rubisco is considered a poor catalyst due to its slow turnover rate and its additional fixation of O2 that can result in wasteful loss of carbon through the energy requiring photorespiratory cycle. Improving the carboxylation efficiency and CO2/O2 selectivity of Rubisco within higher plants has been a long-term goal which has been greatly advanced in recent times using plastid transformation techniques. Here we present experimental methodologies for efficiently engineering Rubisco in the plastids of a tobacco master-line and analyzing leaf Rubisco content.

  6. Effect of Sidaguri (Sidarhombifolia L) on C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in osteoarthritis patients

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marpaung, B.; Siregar, J.

    2018-03-01

    Osteoarthritis (OA) is degenerative and inflammatory joint diseases. Management of OA, until now limited only to overcome the pain, inflammation, and improvement of joint function with medication in the form of NSAIDs that have many side effects. Damage to cells due to the stimulus will free various mediators or substances inflammation such as prostaglandin, IL-6, TNF-α and nitric oxide. Sidaguri plant (Sidarhombifolia L) has anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of nitric oxide. The mechanism of action Meloxicam, like other NSAIDs, may be associated with the inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase (cyclo-oxygenase). One of the markers of the inflammatory process is CRP and ESR. We tested 50 patients divided into two groups, patients who get Meloxicam and Sidaguri (n = 25) and patients who get Meloxicam and placebo (n = 25). There were significant changes before and after therapy with p-value<0.0001.

  7. Carboxysomes: metabolic modules for CO 2 fixation

    DOE PAGES

    Turmo, Aiko; Gonzalez-Esquer, Cesar Raul; Kerfeld, Cheryl A.

    2017-08-14

    The carboxysome is a bacterial microcompartment encapsulating the enzymes carbonic anhydrase and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. As the site of CO 2 fixation, it serves an essential role in the carbon dioxide concentrating mechanism of many chemoautotrophs and all cyanobacteria. Carboxysomes and other bacterial microcompartments self-assemble through specific protein–protein interactions that are typically mediated by conserved protein domains. In this review, we frame our current understanding of carboxysomes in the context of their component protein domains with their inherent function as the ‘building blocks’ of carboxysomes. These building blocks are organized in genetic modules (conserved chromosomal loci) that encode for carboxysomes andmore » ancillary proteins essential for the integration of the organelle with the rest of cellular metabolism. This conceptual framework provides the foundation for ‘plug-and-play’ engineering of carboxysomes as CO 2 fixation modules in a variety of biotechnological applications.« less

  8. Upregulation of Endogenous HMOX1 Expression by a Computer-Designed Artificial Transcription Factor

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Hongfeng; Tian, Yi; Lu, Hai; Wei, Yong; Ying, Dajun

    2010-01-01

    Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is well known as a cytoprotective factor. Research has revealed that it is a promising therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. In the current study, an HMOX1 (HO-1 gene) enhancer-specific artificial zinc-finger protein (AZP) was designed using bioinformatical methods. Then, an artificial transcription factor (ATF) was constructed based on the AZP. In the ATF, the p65 functional domain was used as the effector domain (ED), and a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) was also included. We next analyzed the affinity of the ATF to the HMOX1 enhancer and the effect of the ATF on endogenous HMOX1 expression. The results suggest that the ATF could effectively upregulate endogenous HMOX1 expression in ECV304 cells. With further research, the ATF could be developed as a potential drug for cardiovascular diseases. PMID:20706680

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

    MacIntyre, H.L.; Geider, R.J.; McKay, R.M.

    Net phytoplankton (>20 {mu}m) comprised 51 {plus_minus} 9% of the total chlorophyll (Chl) in a Skeletonema costatum-dominated spring bloom in Delaware Bay. The net phytoplankton had low C:N and high protein:carbohydrate ratios, indicating that their growth was nutrient-replete. Their photosynthetic responses were characterized by low specific absorption, low light-limited and light-saturated rates of photosynthesis, and high quantum yields, indicative of acclimation to low irradiance and internal self-shading. High fucoxanthin: Chl ratios also indicated low light acclimation, but high photoprotective xanthophyll: Chl ratios suggested a high capacity for photoprotective energy dissipation. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) could be activated and deactivated in responsemore » to changes in irradiance and was fully activated at the surface of the water column and fully deactivated in aphotic deep water. Maximum Rubisco activity was correlated with Rubisco content and bulk protein content of the phytoplankton and with light-saturated rates of photosynthesis measured in short (<20-min) incubations. Long (60-min) incubations caused a decrease in the light-saturated rate of photosynthesis, possibly because of feedback limitation. While feedback limitation is unlikely to occur in the water column it should be considered when estimating productivity in well-mixed waters from fixed light-depth incubations. 90 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.« less

  10. A subchronic feeding study of dicamba-tolerant soybean with the dmo gene in Sprague-Dawley rats.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xiaoyun; He, Xiaoyun; Zou, Shiyin; Xu, Wentao; Jia, Xin; Zhao, Bo; Zhao, Changhui; Huang, Kunlun; Liang, Zhihong

    2016-06-01

    The dicamba-tolerant soybean MON87708 expresses the dicamba mono-oxygenase (DMO) enzyme that is encoded by the dmo gene. In order to evaluate the safety of this soybean, a 90-day subchronic feeding toxicity study (13 weeks) was conducted on Sprague-Dawley rats. A total of 140 rats were divided into 7 groups (10/sex/group), including a standard commercial diet control group. The genetically modified (GM) soybean MON87708 and the near isogenic non-GM soybean A3525 were respectively processed to unhulled, full-fat, and heat-treated powder, then mixed into the diet at levels of 7.5%, 15%, and 30% (wt/wt) with the main nutrients of the various diets balanced and then fed to 6 groups. The remaining group of rats fed with a commercial rat diet served as blank control. Some isolated parameters indicated statistically significant differences in body weight, feed consumption/utilization, hematology, serum biochemistry, and relative organ weights. These differences were not consistent across gender or test-diet dose, which were attributed to incidental and biological variability. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that the transgenic soybean MON87708 containing DMO was as safe as non-transgenic isogenic counterpart with historical safe use. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Lethal and sublethal effects of marine sediment extracts on fish cells and chromosomes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Landolt, Marsha L.; Kocan, Richard M.

    1984-03-01

    The cost of conducting conventional chronic bioassays with every potentially toxic compound found in marine ecosystems is prohibitive; therefore short-term toxicity tests which can be used for rapid screening were developed. The tests employ cultured fish cells to measure lethal, sublethal or genotoxic effects of pure compounds and complex mixtures. The sensitivity of these tests has been proven under laboratory conditions; the following study used two of these tests, the anaphase aberration test and a cytotoxicity assay, under field conditions. Sediment was collected from 97 stations within Puget Sound, Washington. Serial washings of the sediment in methanol and dichloromethane yielded an organic extract which was dried, dissolved in DMSO and incubated as a series of dilutions with rainbow trout gonad (RTG-2) cells. The toxic effects of the extract were measured by examining the rate of cell proliferation and the percentage of damaged anaphase figures. Anaphase figures were considered to be abnormal if they exhibited non-disjunctions, chromosome fragments, or chromosome bridges. A second cell line (bluegill fry, BF-2) was also tested for cell proliferation and was included because, unlike the RTG-2 cell line, it contains little or no mixed function oxygenase activity. Of 97 stations tested, 35 showed no genotoxic activity, 42 showed high genotoxic activity (P≤.01) and the remainder were intermediate. Among the toxic sites were several deep water stations adjacent to municipal sewage outfalls and four urban waterways contaminated by industrial and municipal effluents. Extracts from areas that showed genotoxic effects also inhibited cell proliferation and were cytotoxic to RTG-2 cells. Few effects were noted in the MFO deficient BF-2 cells. Short term in vitro tests provide aquatic toxicologists with a versatile and cost effective tool for screening complex environments. Through these tests one can identify compounds or geographic regions that exhibit high cytotoxic or genotoxic potential.

  12. Growth hormone and drug metabolism. Acute effects on microsomal mixed-function oxidase activities in rat liver.

    PubMed Central

    Wilson, J T; Spelsberg, T C

    1976-01-01

    Adult male rats were subjected either to sham operation or to hypophysectomy and adrenalectomy and maintained for a total of 10 days before treatment with growth hormone. Results of the early effects of growth hormone on the activities of the mixed-function oxidases in rat liver over a 96h period after growth-hormone treatment are presented. 2. Hypophysectomy and adrenalectomy result in decreased body and liver weight and decreased drug metabolism (mixed-function oxidases). Concentrations of electron-transport-system components are also decreased. 3. In the hypophysectomized/adrenalectomized rats, growth hormone decreases the activities of the liver mixed-function oxidases and the cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome c reductases, as well as decreasing the concentration of cytochrome P-450 compared with that of control rats. Similar but less dramatic results are obtained with sham-operated rats. 4. It is concluded that whereas growth hormone enhances liver growth, including induction of many enzyme activities, it results in a decrease in mixed-function oxidase activity. Apparently, mixed-function oxidase activity decreases in liver when growth (mitogenesis) increases. PMID:938458

  13. Bipolar patients' quality of life in mixed states: a preliminary qualitative study.

    PubMed

    Lee Mortensen, Gitte; Vinberg, Maj; Lee Mortensen, Steen; Balslev Jørgensen, Martin; Eberhard, Jonas

    2015-01-01

    Approximately 20% of patients with bipolar disorder experience mixed states. Mixed states are associated with more comorbidity, poorer treatment response and prognosis, increased relapse rate, and decreased functioning. This study aimed to produce in-depth knowledge about bipolar patients' quality of life (QoL) and functioning related to mixed states. This study used qualitative research methods. A semi-structured interview guide based on a literature study was applied in interviews with 6 remitted bipolar I patients having experienced mixed states. A medical anthropological approach was applied to analyse the data. Participants described mixed states as worse than other bipolar disorder states and their residual symptoms were prolonged. Mixed states affected the functioning of patients in key life domains such as self-esteem, family, love and social life, physical well-being, and working capability. Mixed states may severely affect the QoL and functioning of bipolar patients. Our results indicate that improving these should be a main goal of patient treatment. With an aim of adequately identifying and treating mixed states, our findings highlight the need for knowledge about this particularly severe expression of bipolar disorder. These results should be confirmed in a larger sample of patients with varying socioeconomic status.

  14. Introduction of water into the heme distal side by Leu65 mutations of an oxygen sensor, YddV, generates verdoheme and carbon monoxide, exerting the heme oxygenase reaction.

    PubMed

    Stranava, Martin; Martínková, Markéta; Stiborová, Marie; Man, Petr; Kitanishi, Kenichi; Muchová, Lucie; Vítek, Libor; Martínek, Václav; Shimizu, Toru

    2014-11-01

    The globin-coupled oxygen sensor, YddV, is a heme-based oxygen sensor diguanylate cyclase. Oxygen binding to the heme Fe(II) complex in the N-terminal sensor domain of this enzyme substantially enhances its diguanylate cyclase activity which is conducted in the C-terminal functional domain. Leu65 is located on the heme distal side and is important for keeping the stability of the heme Fe(II)-O2 complex by preventing the entry of the water molecule to the heme complex. In the present study, it was found that (i) Escherichia coli-overexpressed and purified L65N mutant of the isolated heme-bound domain of YddV (YddV-heme) contained the verdoheme iron complex and other modified heme complexes as determined by optical absorption spectroscopy and mass spectrometry; (ii) CO was generated in the reconstituted system composed of heme-bound L65N and NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase as confirmed by gas chromatography; (iii) CO generation of heme-bound L65N in the reconstituted system was inhibited by superoxide dismutase and catalase. In a concordance with the result, the reactive oxygen species increased the CO generation; (iv) the E. coli cells overexpressing the L65N protein of YddV-heme also formed significant amounts of CO compared to the cells overexpressing the wild type protein; (v) generation of verdoheme and CO was also observed for other mutants at Leu65 as well, but to a lesser extent. Since Leu65 mutations are assumed to introduce the water molecule into the heme distal side of YddV-heme, it is suggested that the water molecule would significantly contribute to facilitating heme oxygenase reactions for the Leu65 mutants. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Effects of induction/inhibition of endogenous heme oxygenase-1 on lipid metabolism, endothelial function, and atherosclerosis in rabbits on a high fat diet.

    PubMed

    Liu, Danan; He, Zuoyun; Wu, Lirong; Fang, Ying

    2012-01-01

    The heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) / carbon monoxide (CO) system has been presumed as a therapeutic target for preventing atherosclerosis. However, the exact mechanism(s) underlying this system remains largely undefined. This study aims to examine the influence of induction/inhibition of HO-1 on atherosclerotic plaque using pharmacological approaches and to elucidate potential mechanisms. Rabbits were randomly assigned to receive a standard diet (control group), high fat diet (HFD), HFD plus HO inducer hemin (HFD + H group), and HFD plus an HO inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin-9 (ZnPP9, HFD + Z group). Atherosclerotic plaque was evaluated using oil red O staining and histological analyses. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and RT-PCR were employed to study the expression of HO-1 and endothelin-1 (ET-1). Levels of CO, nitric oxide (NO), eNOS/iNOS activities, NF-κB activity, and TNF-α level were determined. No significant differences of serum lipid levels were observed among the HFD, HFD + Z, and HFD + H groups. In rabbits, HFD induced typical atherosclerotic plaque and increased intima/media thickness ratio, which was markedly reduced in the HFD + H group and further aggravated in the HFD + Z group. Furthermore, hemin increased HO-1 expression, CO levels, and eNOS activity, while decreasing iNOS levels, ET-1 expression, NF-κB activity, and TNF-α level. ZnPP9 caused opposite effects. Induction of the endogenous HO-1/CO system by hemin can prevent atherosclerosis though increasing CO levels, regulating eNOS activity, NF-κB activity, TNF-α levels, and ET-1 levels in rabbits. Our results add new evidence for the importance of HO-1 in the genesis and development of atherosclerosis and provide several possible mechanisms underlying the anti-atherosclerosis effects of HO-1.

  16. Effects of different levels of exercise volume on endothelium-dependent vasodilation: roles of nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase.

    PubMed

    Sun, Meng-Wei; Zhong, Mei-Fang; Gu, Jun; Qian, Feng-Lei; Gu, Jian-Zhong; Chen, Hong

    2008-04-01

    The objective of this study was to examine the effects of moderate and high levels of exercise volume on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and associated changes in vascular endothelial/inducible nitric oxide synthase (eNOS and iNOS) and heme oxygenase (HO). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to sedentary control, acute (2 weeks), or chronic (6 weeks) treadmill running at moderate intensity (50% maximal aerobic velocity) with different durations of exercise episodes: 2 h/d (endurance training, moderate volume) and 3 h/d (intense training, high volume). Endothelium-dependent vascular function was examined in isolated thoracic aorta. Co-localization and contents of aortic eNOS/iNOS and HO-1/HO-2 were determined with immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Compared with sedentary controls, rats subjected to acute and chronic endurance training showed enhanced endothelium-dependent relaxation (p<0.01). Whereas acetylcholine-induced dilation was inhibited completely by NOS inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in sedentary controls, the dilation in the training groups was only partly blocked by L-NAME (inhibition was 98+/-3%, 79+/-6%, and 77+/-5% in sedentary control, acute, and chronic training groups, respectively, p<0.01). The remnant dilation in the training groups was further inhibited by HO inhibitor protoporphyrin IX zinc, with concomitant elevation in aortic eNOS as well as HO-1 and HO-2. In contrast to endurance exercise, high-volume intense training resulted in mild hypertension with significant impairment in endothelium-dependent vasodilation and profuse increases in aortic iNOS and eNOS (p<0.01). In conclusion, endothelium-dependent vasodilation is improved by endurance exercise but impaired by chronic intense training. Elevations of vascular eNOS and HO-1/HO-2 may contribute to enhanced vasodilation, which can be offset by intense training and elevation in vascular iNOS.

  17. Electrostatic environment of hemes in proteins: pK(a)s of hydroxyl ligands.

    PubMed

    Song, Yifan; Mao, Junjun; Gunner, M R

    2006-07-04

    The pK(a)s of ferric aquo-heme and aquo-heme electrochemical midpoints (E(m)s) at pH 7 in sperm whale myoglobin, Aplysia myoblogin, hemoglobin I, heme oxygenase 1, horseradish peroxidase and cytochrome c oxidase were calculated with Multi-Conformation Continuum Electrostatics (MCCE). The pK(a)s span 3.3 pH units from 7.6 in heme oxygenase 1 to 10.9 in peroxidase, and the E(m)s range from -250 mV in peroxidase to 125 mV in Aplysia myoglobin. Proteins with higher in situ ferric aquo-heme pK(a)s tend to have lower E(m)s. Both changes arise from the protein stabilizing a positively charged heme. However, compared with values in solution, the protein shifts the aquo-heme E(m)s more than the pK(a)s. Thus, the protein has a larger effective dielectric constant for the protonation reaction, showing that electron and proton transfers are coupled to different conformational changes that are captured in the MCCE analysis. The calculations reveal a breakdown in the classical continuum electrostatic analysis of pairwise interactions. Comparisons with DFT calculations show that Coulomb's law overestimates the large unfavorable interactions between the ferric water-heme and positively charged groups facing the heme plane by as much as 60%. If interactions with Cu(B) in cytochrome c oxidase and Arg 38 in horseradish peroxidase are not corrected, the pK(a) calculations are in error by as much as 6 pH units. With DFT corrected interactions calculated pK(a)s and E(m)s differ from measured values by less than 1 pH unit or 35 mV, respectively. The in situ aquo-heme pK(a) is important for the function of cytochrome c oxidase since it helps to control the stoichiometry of proton uptake coupled to electron transfer [Song, Michonova-Alexova, and Gunner (2006) Biochemistry 45, 7959-7975].

  18. Compound C Stimulates Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Expression via the Nrf2-ARE Pathway to Preserve Human Endothelial Cell Survival

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Xiao-ming; Peyton, Kelly J.; Shebib, Ahmad R.; Wang, Hong; Durante, William

    2011-01-01

    We recently identified adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a novel inducer of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and surprisingly found that compound C (6-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]3-pyridin-4-yl-pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine), a cell-permeable inhibitor of AMPK, could also elevate HO-1 suggesting other AMPK-independent actions for this agent. In this study, we investigated the biochemical mechanism by which compound C stimulates HO-1 expression in human endothelial cells (ECs) and determined the biological significance of the induction of HO-1 by compound C in these cells. Compound C stimulated a concentration- and time-dependent increase in HO-1 expression and an increase in HO-1 promoter activity that was abrogated by mutating the antioxidant responsive elements (AREs) in the HO-1 promoter or by overexpressing a dominant negative mutant of NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2). Compound C also stimulated Nrf2 expression and this was associated with an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species and with a decline in intracellular glutathione levels. Interestingly, the glutathione donor N-acetyl-L-cysteine or the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin blocked the induction of HO-1 by compound C. Finally, compound C stimulated EC death and this was potentiated by silencing HO-1 expression and reversed by the administration of CO, biliverdin, or bilirubin. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that compound C stimulates HO-1 gene expression in human vascular endothelium via the activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway to counteract compound C-mediated cell death. The ability of compound C to induce HO-1 expression may contribute to the pleiotropic actions of this agent and suggest caution when using compound C to probe for AMPK functions. PMID:21635873

  19. Carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CO-RMs) attenuate the inflammatory response elicited by lipopolysaccharide in RAW264.7 murine macrophages

    PubMed Central

    Sawle, Philip; Foresti, Roberta; Mann, Brian E; Johnson, Tony R; Green, Colin J; Motterlini, Roberto

    2005-01-01

    The enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory protein that degrades heme to produce biliverdin/bilirubin, ferrous iron and carbon monoxide (CO). The anti-inflammatory properties of HO-1 are related to inhibition of adhesion molecule expression and reduction of oxidative stress, while exogenous CO gas treatment decreases the production of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). CO-releasing molecules (CO-RMs) are a novel group of substances identified by our group that are capable of modulating physiological functions via the liberation of CO. We aimed in this study to examine the potential anti-inflammatory characteristics of CORM-2 and CORM-3 in an in vitro model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages. Stimulation of RAW264.7 macrophages with LPS resulted in increased expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and production of nitrite. CORM-2 or CORM-3 (10–100 μM) reduced nitrite generation in a concentration-dependent manner but did not affect the protein levels of iNOS. CORM-3 also decreased nitrite levels when added 3 or 6 h after LPS exposure. CORM-2 or CORM-3 did not cause any evident cytotoxicity and produced an increase in HO-1 expression and heme oxygenase activity; this effect was completely prevented by the thiol donor N-acetylcysteine. CORM-3 also considerably reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, another mediator of the inflammatory response. The inhibitory effects of CORM-2 and CORM-3 were not observed when the inactive compounds, which do not release CO, were coincubated with LPS. These results indicate that CO liberated by CORM-2 and CORM-3 significantly suppresses the inflammatory response elicited by LPS in cultured macrophages and suggest that CO carriers can be used as an effective strategy to modulate inflammation. PMID:15880142

  20. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 contributes to constitutive prostanoid production in rat kidney and brain

    PubMed Central

    2005-01-01

    Cyclo-oxygenases (COXs) catalyse the synthesis of PGH2 (prostaglandin H2), which serves as the common substrate for the production of PGE2, PGD2, PGF2α, prostacyclin (or PGI2) and TXs (thromboxanes). While COX-1 is the major isoform responsible for prostanoid synthesis in healthy tissues, little information is available on the contribution of constitutive COX-2 to the various prostanoid synthetic pathways under non-inflammatory conditions. To evaluate further the role of COX-2 in prostanoid biosynthesis, rats were acutely treated with the selective COX-1 inhibitor SC-560 [5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-trifluoromethylpyrazole] or the selective COX-2 inhibitors MF tricyclic [3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulphonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone] and DFU [5,5-dimethyl-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulphonyl)phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone]. Selected tissues were then processed for a complete analysis of their prostanoid content by liquid chromatography MS. Whereas the treatment with SC-560 caused a 60–70% inhibition in the total prostanoid content of most tissues examined, a significant decrease (35–50%) in total prostanoid content following selective COX-2 inhibition was solely detected for kidney and brain tissues. Analysis of the individual prostanoids reveals significant inhibition of 6-oxo-PGF1α, PGE2, PGD2, PGF2α and TXB2 in the kidney and inhibition of all these prostanoids with the exception of PGD2 in the forebrain. These results demonstrate that constitutively expressed COX-2 contributes to the production of prostanoids in kidney and brain for each of the PGE2, PGI2 and TXB2 pathways under non-inflammatory conditions. Approaches to modulate inflammation through specific inhibition of terminal synthases, such as mPGES-1 (microsomal PGE2 synthase-1), thus have the potential to differ from COX-2 inhibitors and non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with regard to effects on constitutive prostanoid synthesis and on renal function. PMID:16008526

  1. Redox modulation of cellular stress response and lipoxin A4 expression by Hericium Erinaceus in rat brain: relevance to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.

    PubMed

    Trovato, A; Siracusa, R; Di Paola, R; Scuto, M; Ontario, M L; Bua, Ornella; Di Mauro, Paola; Toscano, M A; Petralia, C C T; Maiolino, L; Serra, A; Cuzzocrea, S; Calabrese, Vittorio

    2016-01-01

    There has been a recent upsurge of interest in complementary medicine, especially dietary supplements and foods functional in delaying the onset of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Mushrooms have long been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, being now increasingly recognized as antitumor, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and hepatoprotective agent also capable to stimulate host immune responses. Here we provide evidence of neuroprotective action of Hericium Herinaceus when administered orally to rat. Expression of Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) was measured in different brain regions after oral administration of a biomass Hericium preparation, given for 3 month. LXA4 up-regulation was associated with an increased content of redox sensitive proteins involved in cellular stress response, such as Hsp72, Heme oxygenase -1 and Thioredoxin. In the brain of rats receiving Hericium, maximum induction of LXA4 was observed in cortex, and hippocampus followed by substantia Nigra, striatum and cerebellum. Increasing evidence supports the notion that oxidative stress-driven neuroinflammation is a fundamental cause in neurodegenerative diseases. As prominent intracellular redox system involved in neuroprotection, the vitagene system is emerging as a neurohormetic potential target for novel cytoprotective interventions. Vitagenes encode for cytoprotective heat shock proteins 70, heme oxygenase-1, thioredoxin and Lipoxin A4. Emerging interest is now focussing on molecules capable of activating the vitagene system as novel therapeutic target to minimize deleterious consequences associated with free radical-induced cell damage, such as in neurodegeneration. LXA4 is an emerging endogenous eicosanoid able to promote resolution of inflammation, acting as an endogenous "braking signal" in the inflammatory process. In addition, Hsp system is emerging as key pathway for modulation to prevent neuronal dysfunction, caused by protein misfolding. Conceivably, activation of LXA4 signaling and modulation of stress responsive vitagene proteins could serve as a potential therapeutic target for AD-related inflammation and neurodegenerative damage.

  2. Extending existing structural identifiability analysis methods to mixed-effects models.

    PubMed

    Janzén, David L I; Jirstrand, Mats; Chappell, Michael J; Evans, Neil D

    2018-01-01

    The concept of structural identifiability for state-space models is expanded to cover mixed-effects state-space models. Two methods applicable for the analytical study of the structural identifiability of mixed-effects models are presented. The two methods are based on previously established techniques for non-mixed-effects models; namely the Taylor series expansion and the input-output form approach. By generating an exhaustive summary, and by assuming an infinite number of subjects, functions of random variables can be derived which in turn determine the distribution of the system's observation function(s). By considering the uniqueness of the analytical statistical moments of the derived functions of the random variables, the structural identifiability of the corresponding mixed-effects model can be determined. The two methods are applied to a set of examples of mixed-effects models to illustrate how they work in practice. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Oat avenanthramides induce heme oxygenase-1 expression via Nrf2-mediated signaling in HK-2 cells

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Numerous laboratory and human studies have shown that avenanthramides (AVAs), unique compounds found in oats, are strong antioxidants. Their underlying mechanisms, however, remain unclear. We demonstrated for the first time that the three major AVAs in oats—2c, 2f, and 2p—significantly increased hem...

  4. Recycling carbon dioxide during xylose fermentation by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    In this study, we introduced the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) and phosphoribulokinase (PRK) into an engineered S. cerevisiae (SR8) harboring the XR/XDH pathway and up-regulated PPP 10, to enable CO2 recycling through a synthetic rPPP during xylose fermentation (Fig. 1). ...

  5. INDUCTION OF HEME OXYGENASE-1 EXPRESSION IN MACROPHAGES BY DIESEL EXHAUST PARTICLE CHEMICALS AND QUINONES VIA THE ANTIOXIDANT-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT. (R827352C001)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Concl...

  6. Growth of human bronchial epithelial cells at an air-liquid interface alters the response to particle exposure

    EPA Science Inventory

    Abstract: We tested the hypothesis that relative to submerged cells, airway epithelial cells grown at an air-liquid interface would have an altered response to particle exposure. RNA for IL-8, IL-6, heme oxygenase 1 and cyclooxygenase 2 increased following exposure of submer...

  7. Photorespiration maintains carbon recycling efficiency at low irradiance despite impaired glycolate/glycerate antiport or hydroxypyruvate reduction

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Photorespiration partially recycles fixed carbon that would otherwise be lost following the oxygenation reaction of Ribulose, 1-5, carboxylase oxygenase (Rubisco) and significantly reduces net photosynthesis in C3 plants. The recycling of photorespiratory C2 to C3 intermediates is not perfectly effi...

  8. Cytoprotection of Human Endothelial Cells From Menadione Cytotoxicity by Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester: The Role of Heme Oxygenase-1

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-06-08

    reported here show that CAPE induces HO-1 in human endothelial cells. The major signaling transduction involved in HO-1 induction by those electrophilic ...phenethyl ester (CAPE) and catechol ring- fluorinated CAPE derivatives against menadione-induced oxidative stress in human endothelial cells. Bioorganic

  9. Apo-10'-lycopenoic acid inhibits cancer cell migration and angiogenesis and induces peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Scope: We have previously shown that apo-10'-lycopenoic acid (ALA), a derivative of lycopene through cleavage by carotene-9',10'-oxygenase, inhibits tumor progression and metastasis in both liver and lung cancer animal models. The underlying mechanism remains unknown. We hypothesized that ALA inhibi...

  10. 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

  11. 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.

  12. Mutations in the FMN domain modulate MCD spectra of the heme site in the oxygenase domain of inducible nitric oxide synthase.

    PubMed

    Sempombe, Joseph; Elmore, Bradley O; Sun, Xi; Dupont, Andrea; Ghosh, Dipak K; Guillemette, J Guy; Kirk, Martin L; Feng, Changjian

    2009-05-27

    The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) output state for NO production is a complex of the flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-binding domain and the heme domain, and thereby it facilitates the interdomain electron transfer from the FMN to the catalytic heme site. Emerging evidence suggests that interdomain FMN-heme interactions are important in the formation of the output state because they guide the docking of the FMN domain to the heme domain. In this study, notable effects of mutations in the adjacent FMN domain on the heme structure in a human iNOS bidomain oxygenase/FMN construct have been observed by using low-temperature magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy. The comparative MCD study of wild-type and mutant proteins clearly indicates that a properly docked FMN domain contributes to the observed L-Arg perturbation of the heme MCD spectrum in the wild-type protein and that the conserved surface residues in the FMN domain (E546 and E603) play key roles in facilitating a productive alignment of the FMN and heme domains in iNOS.

  13. UVA-induced protection of skin through the induction of heme oxygenase-1.

    PubMed

    Xiang, Yuancai; Liu, Gang; Yang, Li; Zhong, Julia Li

    2011-12-01

    UVA (320-400 nm) and UVB (290-320 nm) are the major components of solar UV irradiation, which is associated with various pathological conditions. UVB causes direct damage to DNA of epidermal cells and is mainly responsible for erythema, immunosuppression, photoaging, and skin cancer. UVA has oxidizing properties that can cause damage or enhance UVB damaging effects on skin. On the other hand, UVA can also lead to high levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression of cells that can provide an antioxidant effect on skin as well as anti-inflammatory properties in mammals and rodents. Therefore, this review focuses on the potential protection of UVA wavebands for the skin immune response, instead of mechanisms that underlie UVA-induced damage. Also, the role of HO-1 in UVA-mediated protection against UVB-induced immunosuppression in skin will be summarized. Thus, this review facilitates further understanding of potential beneficial mechanisms of UVA irradiation, and using the longer UVA (UVA1, 340-400 nm) in combination with HO-1 for phototherapy and skin protection against sunlight exposure.

  14. Interactions between the nuclear matrix and an enhancer of the tryptophan oxygenase gene

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

    Kaneoka, Hidenori; Miyake, Katsuhide, E-mail: miyake@nubio.nagoya-u.ac.jp; Iijima, Shinji

    2009-10-02

    The gene for tryptophan oxygenase (TO) is expressed in adult hepatocytes in a tissue- and differentiation-specific manner. The TO promoter has two glucocorticoid-responsive elements (GREs), and its expression is regulated by glucocorticoid hormone in the liver. We found a novel GRE in close proximity to a scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR) that was located around -8.5 kb from the transcriptional start site of the TO gene by electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. A combination of nuclear fractionation and quantitative PCR analysis showed that the S/MAR was tethered to the nuclear matrix in both fetal and adult hepatocytes. ChIPmore » assay showed that, in adult hepatocytes, the S/MAR-GRE and the promoter proximal regions interacted with lamin and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U in a dexamethasone dependent manner, but this was not the case in fetal cells, suggesting that developmental stage-specific expression of the TO gene might rely on the binding of the enhancer (the -8.5 kb S/MAR-GRE) and the promoter to the inner nuclear matrix.« less

  15. Elucidating nitric oxide synthase domain interactions by molecular dynamics.

    PubMed

    Hollingsworth, Scott A; Holden, Jeffrey K; Li, Huiying; Poulos, Thomas L

    2016-02-01

    Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is a multidomain enzyme that catalyzes the production of nitric oxide (NO) by oxidizing L-Arg to NO and L-citrulline. NO production requires multiple interdomain electron transfer steps between the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and heme domain. Specifically, NADPH-derived electrons are transferred to the heme-containing oxygenase domain via the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and FMN containing reductase domains. While crystal structures are available for both the reductase and oxygenase domains of NOS, to date there is no atomic level structural information on domain interactions required for the final FMN-to-heme electron transfer step. Here, we evaluate a model of this final electron transfer step for the heme-FMN-calmodulin NOS complex based on the recent biophysical studies using a 105-ns molecular dynamics trajectory. The resulting equilibrated complex structure is very stable and provides a detailed prediction of interdomain contacts required for stabilizing the NOS output state. The resulting equilibrated complex model agrees well with previous experimental work and provides a detailed working model of the final NOS electron transfer step required for NO biosynthesis. © 2015 The Protein Society.

  16. Increased Carboxyhemoglobin in Adult Falciparum Malaria is Associated With Disease Severity and Mortality

    PubMed Central

    Yeo, Tsin W.; Lampah, Daniel A.; Kenangalem, Enny; Tjitra, Emiliana; Price, Ric N.; Anstey, Nicholas M.

    2013-01-01

    Heme oxygenase 1 expression is increased in pediatric patients with malaria. The carboxyhemoglobin level (a measure of heme oxygenase 1 activity) has not been assessed in adult patients with malaria. Results of pulse co-oximetry revealed that the mean carboxyhemoglobin level was elevated in 29 Indonesian adults with severe falciparum malaria (10%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8%–13%) and in 20 with severe sepsis (8%; 95% CI, 5%–12%), compared with the mean levels in 32 patients with moderately severe malaria (7%; 95% CI, 5%–8%) and 36 controls (3.6%; 95% CI, 3%–5%; P < .001). An increased carboxyhemoglobin level was associated with an increased odds of death among patients with severe malaria (odds ratio, 1.2 per percentage point increase; 95% CI, 1.02–1.5). While also associated with severity and fatality, methemoglobin was only modestly increased in patients with severe malaria. Increased carboxyhemoglobin levels during severe malaria and sepsis may exacerbate organ dysfunction by reducing oxygen carriage and cautions against the use of adjunctive CO therapy, which was proposed on the basis of mouse models. PMID:23852587

  17. Increased carboxyhemoglobin in adult falciparum malaria is associated with disease severity and mortality.

    PubMed

    Yeo, Tsin W; Lampah, Daniel A; Kenangalem, Enny; Tjitra, Emiliana; Price, Ric N; Anstey, Nicholas M

    2013-09-01

    Heme oxygenase 1 expression is increased in pediatric patients with malaria. The carboxyhemoglobin level (a measure of heme oxygenase 1 activity) has not been assessed in adult patients with malaria. Results of pulse co-oximetry revealed that the mean carboxyhemoglobin level was elevated in 29 Indonesian adults with severe falciparum malaria (10%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8%-13%) and in 20 with severe sepsis (8%; 95% CI, 5%-12%), compared with the mean levels in 32 patients with moderately severe malaria (7%; 95% CI, 5%-8%) and 36 controls (3.6%; 95% CI, 3%-5%; P < .001). An increased carboxyhemoglobin level was associated with an increased odds of death among patients with severe malaria (odds ratio, 1.2 per percentage point increase; 95% CI, 1.02-1.5). While also associated with severity and fatality, methemoglobin was only modestly increased in patients with severe malaria. Increased carboxyhemoglobin levels during severe malaria and sepsis may exacerbate organ dysfunction by reducing oxygen carriage and cautions against the use of adjunctive CO therapy, which was proposed on the basis of mouse models.

  18. Involvement of a lipoxygenase-like enzyme in abscisic Acid biosynthesis.

    PubMed

    Creelman, R A; Bell, E; Mullet, J E

    1992-07-01

    Several lines of evidence indicate that abscisic acid (ABA) is derived from 9'-cis-neoxanthin or 9'-cis-violaxanthin with xanthoxin as an intermediate. (18)O-labeling experiments show incorporation primarily into the side chain carboxyl group of ABA, suggesting that oxidative cleavage occurs at the 11, 12 (11', 12') double bond of xanthophylls. Carbon monoxide, a strong inhibitor of heme-containing P-450 monooxygenases, did not inhibit ABA accumulation, suggesting that the oxygenase catalyzing the carotenoid cleavage step did not contain heme. This observation, plus the ability of lipoxygenase to make xanthoxin from violaxanthin, suggested that a lipoxygenase-like enzyme is involved in ABA biosynthesis. To test this idea, the ability of several soybean (Glycine max L.) lipoxygenase inhibitors (5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and naproxen) to inhibit stress-induced ABA accumulation in soybean cell culture and soybean seedlings was determined. All lipoxygenase inhibitors significantly inhibited ABA accumulation in response to stress. These results suggest that the in vivo oxidative cleavage reaction involved in ABA biosynthesis requires activity of a nonheme oxygenase having lipoxygenase-like properties.

  19. Evidence for regulation of columnar habit in apple by a putative 2OG-Fe(II) oxygenase.

    PubMed

    Wolters, Pieter J; Schouten, Henk J; Velasco, Riccardo; Si-Ammour, Azeddine; Baldi, Paolo

    2013-12-01

    Understanding the genetic mechanisms controlling columnar-type growth in the apple mutant 'Wijcik' will provide insights on how tree architecture and growth are regulated in fruit trees. In apple, columnar-type growth is controlled by a single major gene at the Columnar (Co) locus. By comparing the genomic sequence of the Co region of 'Wijcik' with its wild-type 'McIntosh', a novel non-coding DNA element of 1956 bp specific to Pyreae was found to be inserted in an intergenic region of 'Wijcik'. Expression analysis of selected genes located in the vicinity of the insertion revealed the upregulation of the MdCo31 gene encoding a putative 2OG-Fe(II) oxygenase in axillary buds of 'Wijcik'. Constitutive expression of MdCo31 in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in compact plants with shortened floral internodes, a phenotype reminiscent of the one observed in columnar apple trees. We conclude that MdCo31 is a strong candidate gene for the control of columnar growth in 'Wijcik'. No claim to original European Union works. New Phytologist © 2013 New Phytologist Trust.

  20. Heme oxygenase-1 in tumor biology and therapy.

    PubMed

    Was, Halina; Dulak, Jozef; Jozkowicz, Alicja

    2010-12-01

    Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) degrades heme to carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin, and ferrous iron. As HO-1 expression is highly increased by stressful conditions, the major role of the enzyme is the protection against oxidative injury. Additionally, it regulates cell proliferation, modulates inflammatory response and facilitates angiogenesis. Beneficial activities of HO-1 have been recognized in many pathological states e.g. atherosclerosis, diabetes, ischemia/reperfusion injury or organ transplantation. Interestingly HO-1 expression is very often boosted in tumor tissues and could be further elevated in response to radio-, chemo-, or photodynamic therapy. A growing body of evidence suggests that HO-1 may play a role in tumor induction and can potently improve the growth and spread of tumors. This review discusses the implications of HO-1 properties for tumor proliferation and cell death, differentiation, angiogenesis and metastasis, and tumor-related inflammation. Finally, it suggests that pharmacological agents that regulate HO activity or HO-1 gene silencing may become powerful tools for preventing the onset or progression of various cancers and sensitize them to anticancer therapies.

  1. Staphylococcus lugdunensis IsdG Liberates Iron from Host Heme▿

    PubMed Central

    Haley, Kathryn P.; Janson, Eric M.; Heilbronner, Simon; Foster, Timothy J.; Skaar, Eric P.

    2011-01-01

    Staphylococcus lugdunensis is often found as part of the normal flora of human skin but has the potential to cause serious infections even in healthy individuals. It remains unclear what factors enable S. lugdunensis to transition from a skin commensal to an invasive pathogen. Analysis of the complete genome reveals a putative iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) system encoded within S. lugdunensis. In other bacteria, the Isd system permits the utilization of host heme as a source of nutrient iron to facilitate bacterial growth during infection. In this study, we establish that S. lugdunensis expresses an iron-regulated IsdG-family heme oxygenase that binds and degrades heme. Heme degradation by IsdG results in the release of free iron and the production of the chromophore staphylobilin. IsdG-mediated heme catabolism enables the use of heme as a sole source of iron, establishing IsdG as a pathophysiologically relevant heme oxygenase in S. lugdunensis. Together these findings offer insight into how S. lugdunensis fulfills its nutritional requirements while invading host tissues and establish the S. lugdunensis Isd system as being involved in heme-iron utilization. PMID:21764939

  2. Gelam honey inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia in rats through the induction of heme oxygenase-1 and the inhibition of cytokines, nitric oxide, and high-mobility group protein B1.

    PubMed

    Kassim, Mustafa; Yusoff, Kamaruddin Mohd; Ong, Gracie; Sekaran, Shamala; Yusof, Mohd Yasim Bin Md; Mansor, Marzida

    2012-09-01

    Malaysian Gelam honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, a high antioxidant capacity, and free radical-scavenging activity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates immune cells to sequentially release early pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and induces the synthesis of several related enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the intravenous injection of honey in rats with LPS-induced endotoxemia. The results showed that after 4h of treatment, honey reduced cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukins 1β, and 10) and NO levels and increased heme oxygenase-1 levels. After 24h, a decrease in cytokines and NO and an increase in HO-1 were seen in all groups, whereas a reduction in HMGB1 occurred only in the honey-treated groups. These results support the further examination of honey as a natural compound for the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory diseases. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Ca(2+)-mediated prostaglandin E2 induction reduces haematoporphyrin-derivative-induced cytotoxicity of T24 human bladder transitional carcinoma cells in vitro.

    PubMed Central

    Penning, L C; Keirse, M J; VanSteveninck, J; Dubbelman, T M

    1993-01-01

    The effects of haematoporphyrin-derivative-mediated photodynamic treatment on arachidonic acid metabolism and its relation to clonogenicity have been studied in human bladder-tumour cells. Photodynamic treatment resulted in a transient release of arachidonic acid-derived compounds; prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) especially were strongly increased. This release was reduced by chelation of intracellular Ca2+ with Quin-2 or by lowering the extracellular Ca2+ concentration in the medium with EGTA, presumably resulting in inhibition of phospholipase A2. A similar reduction was obtained when indomethacin, an inhibitor of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway, was added prior to light exposure. These three treatments enhanced the photosensitivity, as revealed by the clonogenicity assay. Incubation with PGE2 prior to light exposure, but not with TXB2, protected against reproductive-cell death. The results of these experiments suggest that Ca(2+)-mediated activation of cyclo-oxygenase, resulting in increased levels of PGE2, participates in a cellular-defence mechanism against photodynamic cell killing. PMID:8503851

  4. Daily exercise prevents diastolic dysfunction and oxidative stress in a female mouse model of western diet induced obesity by maintaining cardiac heme oxygenase-1 levels.

    PubMed

    Bostick, Brian; Aroor, Annayya R; Habibi, Javad; Durante, William; Ma, Lixin; DeMarco, Vincent G; Garro, Mona; Hayden, Melvin R; Booth, Frank W; Sowers, James R

    2017-01-01

    Obesity is a global epidemic with profound cardiovascular disease (CVD) complications. Obese women are particularly vulnerable to CVD, suffering higher rates of CVD compared to non-obese females. Diastolic dysfunction is the earliest manifestation of CVD in obese women but remains poorly understood with no evidence-based therapies. We have shown early diastolic dysfunction in obesity is associated with oxidative stress and myocardial fibrosis. Recent evidence suggests exercise may increase levels of the antioxidant heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Accordingly, we hypothesized that diastolic dysfunction in female mice consuming a western diet (WD) could be prevented by daily volitional exercise with reductions in oxidative stress, myocardial fibrosis and maintenance of myocardial HO-1 levels. Four-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat/high-fructose WD for 16weeks (N=8) alongside control diet fed mice (N=8). A separate cohort of WD fed females was allowed a running wheel for the entire study (N=7). Cardiac function was assessed at 20weeks by high-resolution cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Functional assessment was followed by immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Western blotting to identify pathologic mechanisms and assess HO-1 protein levels. There was no significant body weight decrease in exercising mice, normalized body weight 14.3g/mm, compared to sedentary mice, normalized body weight 13.6g/mm (p=0.38). Total body fat was also unchanged in exercising, fat mass of 6.6g, compared to sedentary mice, fat mass 7.4g (p=0.55). Exercise prevented diastolic dysfunction with a significant reduction in left ventricular relaxation time to 23.8ms for exercising group compared to 33.0ms in sedentary group (p<0.01). Exercise markedly reduced oxidative stress and myocardial fibrosis with improved mitochondrial architecture. HO-1 protein levels were increased in the hearts of exercising mice compared to sedentary WD fed females. This study provides seminal evidence that exercise can prevent diastolic dysfunction in WD-induced obesity in females even without changes in body weight. Furthermore, the reduction in myocardial oxidative stress and fibrosis and improved HO-1 levels in exercising mice suggests a novel mechanism for the antioxidant effect of exercise. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 Couples Cyclo-Oxygenase-2 with Pro-Angiogenic Actions of Leptin on Human Endothelial Cells

    PubMed Central

    Garonna, Elena; Botham, Kathleen M.; Birdsey, Graeme M.; Randi, Anna M.; Gonzalez-Perez, Ruben R.; Wheeler-Jones, Caroline P. D.

    2011-01-01

    Background The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin influences the behaviour of a wide range of cell types and is now recognised as a pro-angiogenic and pro-inflammatory factor. In the vasculature, these effects are mediated in part through its direct leptin receptor (ObRb)-driven actions on endothelial cells (ECs) but the mechanisms responsible for these activities have not been established. In this study we sought to more fully define the molecular links between inflammatory and angiogenic responses of leptin-stimulated human ECs. Methodology/Principal Findings Immunoblotting studies showed that leptin increased cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression (but not COX-1) in cultured human umbilical vein ECs (HUVEC) through pathways that depend upon activation of both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and Akt, and stimulated rapid phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) on Tyr1175. Phosphorylation of VEGFR2, p38MAPK and Akt, and COX-2 induction in cells challenged with leptin were blocked by a specific leptin peptide receptor antagonist. Pharmacological inhibitors of COX-2, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway and p38MAPK abrogated leptin-induced EC proliferation (assessed by quantifying 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, calcein fluorescence and propidium iodide staining), slowed the increased migration rate of leptin-stimulated cells (in vitro wound healing assay) and inhibited leptin-induced capillary-like tube formation by HUVEC on Matrigel. Inhibition of VEGFR2 tyrosine kinase activity reduced leptin-stimulated p38MAPK and Akt activation, COX-2 induction, and pro-angiogenic EC responses, and blockade of VEGFR2 or COX-2 activities abolished leptin-driven neo-angiogenesis in a chick chorioallantoic membrane vascularisation assay in vivo. Conclusions/Significance We conclude that a functional endothelial p38MAPK/Akt/COX-2 signalling axis is required for leptin's pro-angiogenic actions and that this is regulated upstream by ObRb-dependent activation of VEGFR2. These studies identify a new function for VEGFR2 as a mediator of leptin-stimulated COX-2 expression and angiogenesis and have implications for understanding leptin's regulation of the vasculature in both non-obese and obese individuals. PMID:21533119

  6. Hippocampal Astrocyte Cultures from Adult and Aged Rats Reproduce Changes in Glial Functionality Observed in the Aging Brain.

    PubMed

    Bellaver, Bruna; Souza, Débora Guerini; Souza, Diogo Onofre; Quincozes-Santos, André

    2017-05-01

    Astrocytes are dynamic cells that maintain brain homeostasis, regulate neurotransmitter systems, and process synaptic information, energy metabolism, antioxidant defenses, and inflammatory response. Aging is a biological process that is closely associated with hippocampal astrocyte dysfunction. In this sense, we demonstrated that hippocampal astrocytes from adult and aged Wistar rats reproduce the glial functionality alterations observed in aging by evaluating several senescence, glutamatergic, oxidative and inflammatory parameters commonly associated with the aging process. Here, we show that the p21 senescence-associated gene and classical astrocyte markers, such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, and actin, changed their expressions in adult and aged astrocytes. Age-dependent changes were also observed in glutamate transporters (glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST) and glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1)) and glutamine synthetase immunolabeling and activity. Additionally, according to in vivo aging, astrocytes from adult and aged rats showed an increase in oxidative/nitrosative stress with mitochondrial dysfunction, an increase in RNA oxidation, NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity, superoxide levels, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression levels. Changes in antioxidant defenses were also observed. Hippocampal astrocytes also displayed age-dependent inflammatory response with augmentation of proinflammatory cytokine levels, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2). Furthermore, these cells secrete neurotrophic factors, including glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) protein, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which changed in an age-dependent manner. Classical signaling pathways associated with aging, such as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), were also changed in adult and aged astrocytes and are probably related to the changes observed in senescence marker, glutamatergic metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative/nitrosative stress, antioxidant defenses, inflammatory response, and trophic factors release. Together, our results reinforce the role of hippocampal astrocytes as a target for understanding the mechanisms involved in aging and provide an innovative tool for studies of astrocyte roles in physiological and pathological aging brain.

  7. Characterization of heme oxygenase and biliverdin reductase gene expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio): Basal expression and response to pro-oxidant exposures

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

    Holowiecki, Andrew

    While heme is an important cofactor for numerous proteins, it is highly toxic in its unbound form and can perpetuate the formation of reactive oxygen species. Heme oxygenase enzymes (HMOX1 and HMOX2) degrade heme into biliverdin and carbon monoxide, with biliverdin subsequently being converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase (BVRa or BVRb). As a result of the teleost-specific genome duplication event, zebrafish have paralogs of hmox1 (hmox1a and hmox1b) and hmox2 (hmox2a and hmox2b). Expression of all four hmox paralogs and two bvr isoforms were measured in adult tissues (gill, brain and liver) and sexually dimorphic differences were observed, mostmore » notably in the basal expression of hmox1a, hmox2a, hmox2b and bvrb in liver samples. hmox1a, hmox2a and hmox2b were significantly induced in male liver tissues in response to 96 h cadmium exposure (20 μM). hmox2a and hmox2b were significantly induced in male brain samples, but only hmox2a was significantly reduced in male gill samples in response to the 96 h cadmium exposure. hmox paralogs displayed significantly different levels of basal expression in most adult tissues, as well as during zebrafish development (24 to 120 hpf). Furthermore, hmox1a, hmox1b and bvrb were significantly induced in zebrafish eleutheroembryos in response to multiple pro-oxidants (cadmium, hemin and tert-butylhydroquinone). Knockdown of Nrf2a, a transcriptional regulator of hmox1a, was demonstrated to inhibit the Cd-mediated induction of hmox1b and bvrb. These results demonstrate distinct mechanisms of hmox and bvr transcriptional regulation in zebrafish, providing initial evidence of the partitioning of function of the hmox paralogs. - Highlights: • hmox1a, hmox2a, hmox2b and bvrb are sexually dimorphic in expression. • hmox paralogs were induced in adult tissues by cadmium exposure. • hmox1a, hmox1b and bvrb were induced by multiple pro-oxidants zebrafish embryos. • Differential expression of zebrafish hmox paralogs suggest partitioning of function. • Nrf2a mediates the induction of hmox1b and bvrb by cadmium in zebrafish embryos.« less

  8. Peptide-induced prostaglandin biosynthesis in the renal-vein-constricted kidney

    PubMed Central

    Myers, Stuart I.; Zipser, Robert; Needleman, Philip

    1981-01-01

    The ipsilateral kidney was removed from a rabbit 48h after unilateral partial renal-vein-constriction and was perfused with Krebs–Henseleit media at 37°C. Hourly administration of a fixed dose of bradykinin to the renal-vein-constricted kidney demonstrated a marked time-dependent increase in the release of bioassayable prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane A2 into the venous effluent as compared with the response of the contralateral control kidney. The renal-vein-constricted kidney produced up to 60 times more prostaglandin E2 in response to bradykinin after 6h of perfusion as compared with the contralateral kidney; thromboxane A2 was not demonstratable in the contralateral kidney. Inhibition of protein synthesis de novo in the perfused renal-vein-constricted kidney with cycloheximide lessened the hormone-stimulated increase in prostaglandin E2 by 94% and in thromboxane A2 by 90% at 6h of perfusion. Covalent acetylation of the renal cyclo-oxygenase by prior oral administration of aspirin to the rabbit inhibited initial bradykinin-stimulated prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis 71% at 1h of perfusion. However, there was total recovery from aspirin in the renal-vein-constricted kidney by 2h of perfusion after bradykinin stimulation. Total cyclo-oxygenase activity as measured by [14C]arachidonate metabolism to labelled prostaglandins by renal cortical and renal medullary microsomal fractions prepared from 6h-perfused kidneys demonstrated that renal-vein-constricted kidney-cortical cyclo-oxygenase activity was significantly greater than the contralateral-kidney-cortical conversion, whereas medullary arachidonate metabolism was comparable in both the renal-vein-constricted kidney and contralateral kidney. These data suggest that perfusion of a renal-vein-constricted kidney initiates a time-dependent induction of synthesis of prostaglandin-producing enzymes, which appear to be primarily localized in the renal cortex. The presence of the synthetic capacity to generate very potent vasodilator and vasoconstrictor prostaglandins in the renal cortex suggests that these substances could mediate or modulate changes in renal vascular resistance in pathological states. PMID:6798974

  9. Involvement of heme oxygenase-1 in β-cyclodextrin-hemin complex-induced cucumber adventitious rooting process.

    PubMed

    Lin, Yuting; Li, Meiyue; Huang, Liqin; Shen, Wenbiao; Ren, Yong

    2012-09-01

    Our previous results showed that β-cyclodextrin-hemin complex (CDH) exhibited a vital protective role against cadmium-induced oxidative damage and toxicity in alfalfa seedling roots by the regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression. In this report, we further test whether CDH exhibited the hormonal-like response. The application of CDH and an inducer of HO-1, hemin, were able to induce the up-regulation of cucumber HO-1 gene (CsHO1) expression and thereafter the promotion of adventitious rooting in cucumber explants. The effect is specific for HO-1 since the potent HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) blocked the above responses triggered by CDH, and the inhibitory effects were reversed further when 30% saturation of CO aqueous solution was added together. Further, molecular evidence showed that CDH triggered the increases of the HO-1-mediated target genes responsible for adventitious rooting, including one DnaJ-like gene (CsDNAJ-1) and two calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) genes (CsCDPK1 and CsCDPK5), and were inhibited by ZnPP and reversed by CO. The calcium (Ca2+) chelator ethylene glycol-bis (2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and the Ca2+ channel blocker lanthanum chloride (LaCl3) not only compromised the induction of adventitious rooting induced by CDH but also decreased the transcripts of above three target genes. However, the application of ascorbic acid (AsA), a well-known antioxidant in plants, failed to exhibit similar inducible effect on adventitious root formation. In short, above results illustrated that the response of CDH in the induction of cucumber adventitious rooting might be through HO-1-dependent mechanism and calcium signaling. Physiological, pharmacological and molecular evidence showed that β-cyclodextrin-hemin complex (CDH) was able to induce cucumber adventitious rooting through heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-dependent mechanism and calcium signaling.

  10. Methane-rich water induces cucumber adventitious rooting through heme oxygenase1/carbon monoxide and Ca(2+) pathways.

    PubMed

    Cui, Weiti; Qi, Fang; Zhang, Yihua; Cao, Hong; Zhang, Jing; Wang, Ren; Shen, Wenbiao

    2015-03-01

    Methane-rich water triggered adventitious rooting by regulating heme oxygenase1/carbon monoxide and calcium pathways in cucumber explants. Heme oxygenase1/carbon monoxide (HO1/CO) and calcium (Ca(2+)) were reported as the downstream signals in auxin-induced cucumber adventitious root (AR) formation. Here, we observed that application of methane-rich water (MRW; 80% saturation) obviously induced AR formation in IAA-depleted cucumber explants. To address the universality, we checked adventitious rooting in soybean and mung bean explants, and found that MRW (50 and 10% saturation, respectively) exhibited the similar inducing results. To further determine if the HO1/CO system participated in MRW-induced adventitious rooting, MRW, HO1 inducer hemin, its activity inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), and its catalytic by-products CO, bilirubin, and Fe(2+) were used to detect their effects on cucumber adventitious rooting in IAA-depleted explants. Subsequent results showed that MRW-induced adventitious rooting was blocked by ZnPP and further reversed by 20% saturation CO aqueous solution. However, the other two by-products of HO1, bilirubin and Fe(2+), failed to induce AR formation. Above responses were consistent with the MRW-induced increases of HO1 transcript and corresponding protein level. Further molecular evidence indicted that expression of marker genes, including auxin signaling-related genes and cell cycle regulatory genes, were modulated by MRW alone but blocked by the cotreatment with ZnPP, the latter of which could be significantly rescued by the addition of CO. By using the Ca(2+)-channel blocker and Ca(2+) chelator, the involvement of Ca(2+) pathway in MRW-induced adventitious rooting was also suggested. Together, our results indicate that MRW might serve as a stimulator of adventitious rooting, which was partially mediated by HO1/CO and Ca(2+) pathways.

  11. Acidithiobacillus caldus Sulfur Oxidation Model Based on Transcriptome Analysis between the Wild Type and Sulfur Oxygenase Reductase Defective Mutant

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Linxu; Ren, Yilin; Lin, Jianqun; Liu, Xiangmei; Pang, Xin; Lin, Jianqiang

    2012-01-01

    Background Acidithiobacillus caldus (A. caldus) is widely used in bio-leaching. It gains energy and electrons from oxidation of elemental sulfur and reduced inorganic sulfur compounds (RISCs) for carbon dioxide fixation and growth. Genomic analyses suggest that its sulfur oxidation system involves a truncated sulfur oxidation (Sox) system (omitting SoxCD), non-Sox sulfur oxidation system similar to the sulfur oxidation in A. ferrooxidans, and sulfur oxygenase reductase (SOR). The complexity of the sulfur oxidation system of A. caldus generates a big obstacle on the research of its sulfur oxidation mechanism. However, the development of genetic manipulation method for A. caldus in recent years provides powerful tools for constructing genetic mutants to study the sulfur oxidation system. Results An A. caldus mutant lacking the sulfur oxygenase reductase gene (sor) was created and its growth abilities were measured in media using elemental sulfur (S0) and tetrathionate (K2S4O6) as the substrates, respectively. Then, comparative transcriptome analysis (microarrays and real-time quantitative PCR) of the wild type and the Δsor mutant in S0 and K2S4O6 media were employed to detect the differentially expressed genes involved in sulfur oxidation. SOR was concluded to oxidize the cytoplasmic elemental sulfur, but could not couple the sulfur oxidation with the electron transfer chain or substrate-level phosphorylation. Other elemental sulfur oxidation pathways including sulfur diooxygenase (SDO) and heterodisulfide reductase (HDR), the truncated Sox pathway, and the S4I pathway for hydrolysis of tetrathionate and oxidation of thiosulfate in A. caldus are proposed according to expression patterns of sulfur oxidation genes and growth abilities of the wild type and the mutant in different substrates media. Conclusion An integrated sulfur oxidation model with various sulfur oxidation pathways of A. caldus is proposed and the features of this model are summarized. PMID:22984393

  12. Heme controls ferroportin1 (FPN1) transcription involving Bach1, Nrf2 and a MARE/ARE sequence motif at position -7007 of the FPN1 promoter.

    PubMed

    Marro, Samuele; Chiabrando, Deborah; Messana, Erika; Stolte, Jens; Turco, Emilia; Tolosano, Emanuela; Muckenthaler, Martina U

    2010-08-01

    Macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system play a key role in recycling iron from hemoglobin of senescent or damaged erythrocytes. Heme oxygenase 1 degrades the heme moiety and releases inorganic iron that is stored in ferritin or exported to the plasma via the iron export protein ferroportin. In the plasma, iron binds to transferrin and is made available for de novo red cell synthesis. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the regulatory mechanisms that control the transcriptional response of iron export protein ferroportin to hemoglobin in macrophages. Iron export protein ferroportin mRNA expression was analyzed in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages in response to hemoglobin, heme, ferric ammonium citrate or protoporphyrin treatment or to siRNA mediated knockdown or overexpression of Btb And Cnc Homology 1 or nuclear accumulation of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-like. Iron export protein ferroportin promoter activity was analyzed using reporter constructs that contain specific truncations of the iron export protein ferroportin promoter or mutations in a newly identified MARE/ARE element. We show that iron export protein ferroportin is transcriptionally co-regulated with heme oxygenase 1 by heme, a degradation product of hemoglobin. The protoporphyrin ring of heme is sufficient to increase iron export protein ferroportin transcriptional activity while the iron released from the heme moiety controls iron export protein ferroportin translation involving the IRE in the 5'untranslated region. Transcription of iron export protein ferroportin is inhibited by Btb and Cnc Homology 1 and activated by Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-like involving a MARE/ARE element located at position -7007/-7016 of the iron export protein ferroportin promoter. This finding suggests that heme controls a macrophage iron recycling regulon involving Btb and Cnc Homology 1 and Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-like to assure the coordinated degradation of heme by heme oxygenase 1, iron storage and detoxification by ferritin, and iron export by iron export protein ferroportin.

  13. Substrate Specificities and Conformational Flexibility of 3-Ketosteroid 9α-Hydroxylases*

    PubMed Central

    Penfield, Jonathan S.; Worrall, Liam J.; Strynadka, Natalie C.; Eltis, Lindsay D.

    2014-01-01

    KshA is the oxygenase component of 3-ketosteroid 9α-hydroxylase, a Rieske oxygenase involved in the bacterial degradation of steroids. Consistent with its role in bile acid catabolism, KshA1 from Rhodococcus rhodochrous DSM43269 had the highest apparent specificity (kcat/Km) for steroids with an isopropyl side chain at C17, such as 3-oxo-23,24-bisnorcholesta-1,4-diene-22-oate (1,4-BNC). By contrast, the KshA5 homolog had the highest apparent specificity for substrates with no C17 side chain (kcat/Km >105 s−1 m−1 for 4-estrendione, 5α-androstandione, and testosterone). Unexpectedly, substrates such as 4-androstene-3,17-dione (ADD) and 4-BNC displayed strong substrate inhibition (KiS ∼100 μm). By comparison, the cholesterol-degrading KshAMtb from Mycobacterium tuberculosis had the highest specificity for CoA-thioesterified substrates. These specificities are consistent with differences in the catabolism of cholesterol and bile acids, respectively, in actinobacteria. X-ray crystallographic structures of the KshAMtb·ADD, KshA1·1,4-BNC-CoA, KshA5·ADD, and KshA5·1,4-BNC-CoA complexes revealed that the enzymes have very similar steroid-binding pockets with the substrate's C17 oriented toward the active site opening. Comparisons suggest Tyr-245 and Phe-297 are determinants of KshA1 specificity. All enzymes have a flexible 16-residue “mouth loop,” which in some structures completely occluded the substrate-binding pocket from the bulk solvent. Remarkably, the catalytic iron and α-helices harboring its ligands were displaced up to 4.4 Å in the KshA5·substrate complexes as compared with substrate-free KshA, suggesting that Rieske oxygenases may have a dynamic nature similar to cytochrome P450. PMID:25049233

  14. Curcumin-induced heme oxygenase-1 expression prevents H2O2-induced cell death in wild type and heme oxygenase-2 knockout adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

    PubMed

    Cremers, Niels A J; Lundvig, Ditte M S; van Dalen, Stephanie C M; Schelbergen, Rik F; van Lent, Peter L E M; Szarek, Walter A; Regan, Raymond F; Carels, Carine E; Wagener, Frank A D T G

    2014-10-08

    Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration is a promising adjuvant therapy to treat tissue injury. However, MSC survival after administration is often hampered by oxidative stress at the site of injury. Heme oxygenase (HO) generates the cytoprotective effector molecules biliverdin/bilirubin, carbon monoxide (CO) and iron/ferritin by breaking down heme. Since HO-activity mediates anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects, we hypothesized that modulation of the HO-system affects MSC survival. Adipose-derived MSCs (ASCs) from wild type (WT) and HO-2 knockout (KO) mice were isolated and characterized with respect to ASC marker expression. In order to analyze potential modulatory effects of the HO-system on ASC survival, WT and HO-2 KO ASCs were pre-treated with HO-activity modulators, or downstream effector molecules biliverdin, bilirubin, and CO before co-exposure of ASCs to a toxic dose of H2O2. Surprisingly, sensitivity to H2O2-mediated cell death was similar in WT and HO-2 KO ASCs. However, pre-induction of HO-1 expression using curcumin increased ASC survival after H2O2 exposure in both WT and HO-2 KO ASCs. Simultaneous inhibition of HO-activity resulted in loss of curcumin-mediated protection. Co-treatment with glutathione precursor N-Acetylcysteine promoted ASC survival. However, co-incubation with HO-effector molecules bilirubin and biliverdin did not rescue from H2O2-mediated cell death, whereas co-exposure to CO-releasing molecules-2 (CORM-2) significantly increased cell survival, independently from HO-2 expression. Summarizing, our results show that curcumin protects via an HO-1 dependent mechanism against H2O2-mediated apoptosis, and likely through the generation of CO. HO-1 pre-induction or administration of CORMs may thus form an attractive strategy to improve MSC therapy.

  15. Functional metagenomic selection of RubisCOs from uncultivated bacteria

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Varaljay, Vanessa A; Satagopan, Sriram; North, Justin A.; Witteveen, Briana; Dourado, Manuella N.; Anantharaman, Karthik; Arbing, Mark A.; McCann, Shelley; Oremland, Ronald S.; Banfield, Jillian F.; Wrighton, Kelly C.; Tabita, F. Robert

    2016-01-01

    Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) is a critical yet severely inefficient enzyme that catalyses the fixation of virtually all of the carbon found on Earth. Here, we report a functional metagenomic selection that recovers physiologically active RubisCO molecules directly from uncultivated and largely unknown members of natural microbial communities. Selection is based on CO2-dependent growth in a host strain capable of expressing environmental deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), precluding the need for pure cultures or screening of recombinant clones for enzymatic activity. Seventeen functional RubisCO-encoded sequences were selected using DNA extracted from soil and river autotrophic enrichments, a photosynthetic biofilm and a subsurface groundwater aquifer. Notably, three related form II RubisCOs were recovered which share high sequence similarity with metagenomic scaffolds from uncultivated members of theGallionellaceae family. One of the Gallionellaceae RubisCOs was purified and shown to possessCO2/O2 specificity typical of form II enzymes. X-ray crystallography determined that this enzyme is a hexamer, only the second form II multimer ever solved and the first RubisCO structure obtained from an uncultivated bacterium. Functional metagenomic selection leverages natural biological diversity and billions of years of evolution inherent in environmental communities, providing a new window into the discovery of CO2-fixing enzymes not previously characterized.

  16. An Inexpensive Electrode and Cell for Measurement of Oxygen Uptake in Chemical and Biochemical Systems.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brunet, Juan E.; And Others

    1983-01-01

    The continuous measurement of oxygen consumption in an enzymatic reaction is a frequent experimental fact and extremely important in the enzymatic activity of oxygenase. An electrochemical system, based on a polarographic method, has been developed to monitor the oxygen uptake. The system developed and electrode used are described. (JN)

  17. Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1 Deficiency and Associated Glutamate-Mediated Neurotoxicity Is a Highly Conserved HIV Phenotype of Chronic Macrophage Infection That Is Resistant to Antiretroviral Therapy.

    PubMed

    Gill, Alexander J; Kovacsics, Colleen E; Vance, Patricia J; Collman, Ronald G; Kolson, Dennis L

    2015-10-01

    Expression of the cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is significantly reduced in the brain prefrontal cortex of HIV-positive individuals with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Furthermore, this HO-1 deficiency correlates with brain viral load, markers of macrophage activation, and type I interferon responses. In vitro, HIV replication in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) selectively reduces HO-1 protein and RNA expression and induces production of neurotoxic levels of glutamate; correction of this HO-1 deficiency reduces neurotoxic glutamate production without an effect on HIV replication. We now demonstrate that macrophage HO-1 deficiency, and the associated neurotoxin production, is a conserved feature of infection with macrophage-tropic HIV-1 strains that correlates closely with the extent of replication, and this feature extends to HIV-2 infection. We further demonstrate that this HO-1 deficiency does not depend specifically upon the HIV-1 accessory genes nef, vpr, or vpu but rather on HIV replication, even when markedly limited. Finally, antiretroviral therapy (ART) applied to MDM after HIV infection is established does not prevent HO-1 loss or the associated neurotoxin production. This work defines a predictable relationship between HIV replication, HO-1 loss, and neurotoxin production in MDM that likely reflects processes in place in the HIV-infected brains of individuals receiving ART. It further suggests that correcting this HO-1 deficiency in HIV-infected MDM could provide neuroprotection above that provided by current ART or proposed antiviral therapies directed at limiting Nef, Vpr, or Vpu functions. The ability of HIV-2 to reduce HO-1 expression suggests that this is a conserved phenotype among macrophage-tropic human immunodeficiency viruses that could contribute to neuropathogenesis. The continued prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) underscores the need for adjunctive therapy that targets the neuropathological processes that persist in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated HIV-infected individuals. To this end, we previously identified one such possible process, a deficiency of the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the brains of individuals with HAND. In the present study, our findings suggest that the HO-1 deficiency associated with excess glutamate production and neurotoxicity in HIV-infected macrophages is a highly conserved phenotype of macrophage-tropic HIV strains and that this phenotype can persist in the macrophage compartment in the presence of ART. This suggests a plausible mechanism by which HIV infection of brain macrophages in ART-treated individuals could exacerbate oxidative stress and glutamate-induced neuronal injury, each of which is associated with neurocognitive dysfunction in infected individuals. Thus, therapies that rescue the HO-1 deficiency in HIV-infected individuals could provide additional neuroprotection to ART. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  18. Physiological effects of indomethacin and celecobix: an S-transform laser Doppler flowmetry signal analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Assous, S.; Humeau, A.; Tartas, M.; Abraham, P.; L'Huillier, J. P.

    2005-05-01

    Conventional signal processing typically involves frequency selective techniques which are highly inadequate for nonstationary signals. In this paper, we present an approach to perform time-frequency selective processing of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) signals using the S-transform. The approach is motivated by the excellent localization, in both time and frequency, afforded by the wavelet basis functions. Suitably chosen Gaussian wavelet functions are used to characterize the subspace of signals that have a given localized time-frequency support, thus enabling a time-frequency partitioning of signals. In this paper, the goal is to study the influence of various pharmacological substances taken by the oral way (celecobix (Celebrex®), indomethacin (Indocid®) and placebo) on the physiological activity behaviour. The results show that no statistical differences are observed in the energy computed from the time-frequency representation of LDF signals, for the myogenic, neurogenic and endothelial related metabolic activities between Celebrex and placebo, and Indocid and placebo. The work therefore proves that these drugs do not affect these physiological activities. For future physiological studies, there will therefore be no need to exclude patients having taken cyclo-oxygenase 1 inhibitions.

  19. Exercise training regulates SOD-1 and oxidative stress in porcine aortic endothelium.

    PubMed

    Rush, James W E; Turk, James R; Laughlin, M Harold

    2003-04-01

    Vascular oxidative stress contributes to endothelial dysfunction. Aerobic exercise training improves vascular function. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise training would improve the balance of antioxidant to prooxidant enzymes and reduce markers of oxidative stress in aortic endothelial cells (AEC). Female Yucatan miniature pigs either remained sedentary (SED) or were exercise trained (EX) for 16-19 wk. EX pigs had increased AEC SOD-1 protein levels and Cu/Zn SOD activity of the whole aorta compared with SED pigs. Protein levels of other antioxidant enzymes (SOD-2, catalase) were not affected by exercise training. Protein levels of p67(phox), a subunit of the prooxidant enzyme NAD(P)H oxidase, were reduced in EX vs. SED AEC. These EX adaptations were associated with lower AEC malondialdehyde levels and decreased phosphorylation of ERK-1/2. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein, protein nitrotyrosine content, and heme oxygenase-1 protein were not different in EX vs. SED pigs. We conclude that chronic aerobic exercise training influenced both antioxidant and prooxidant enzymes and decreased indexes of oxidative stress in AEC. These adaptations may contribute to improved endothelial function with exercise training.

  20. Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense in Endometriosis and Its Malignant Transformation

    PubMed Central

    Iwabuchi, Takuya; Yoshimoto, Chiharu; Shigetomi, Hiroshi; Kobayashi, Hiroshi

    2015-01-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the role of redox status in endometriosis and its malignant transformation. A search was conducted between 1990 and 2014 through the English language literature (online MEDLINE PubMed database) using the keywords endometriosis combined with malignant transformation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defense. In benign endometriosis, autoxidation and Fenton reaction of hemoglobin from the ferrous Fe2+ (oxyhemoglobin) state to the ferric Fe3+ (methemoglobin) state lead to production of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as O2 − and ∙OH. Hemoglobin, heme, and iron derivatives in endometriotic cysts cause distortion in the homeostatic redox balance. Excess oxidative stress could trigger DNA damage and cell death. In contrast, endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) might be associated with an effective antioxidant defense, including heme oxygenases, cytochrome P450 family, and glutathione transferase family. The pattern of redox balance supports that enhanced antioxidants may be involved in the pathogenesis of malignant transformation. In conclusion, oxidant/antioxidant balance function is a double-edged sword, promoting cell death or carcinogenesis. Upregulation of antioxidant functions in endometriotic cyst may result in restoration of cell survival and subsequent malignant transformation. PMID:26185594

  1. Item Purification in Differential Item Functioning Using Generalized Linear Mixed Models

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Liu, Qian

    2011-01-01

    For this dissertation, four item purification procedures were implemented onto the generalized linear mixed model for differential item functioning (DIF) analysis, and the performance of these item purification procedures was investigated through a series of simulations. Among the four procedures, forward and generalized linear mixed model (GLMM)…

  2. Herbivore-plant interactions: mixed-function oxidases and secondary plant substances.

    PubMed

    Brattsten, L B; Wilkinson, C F; Eisner, T

    1977-06-17

    The mixed-function oxidases of a polyphagous insect larva (the southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania) were found to be induced by a diversity of secondary plant substances. The induction proceeds rapidly and in response to a small quantity of secondary substance. Following induction, the larva is less susceptible to dietary poisoning. It is argued that mixed-function oxidases play a major role in protecting herbivores against chemical stress from secondary plant substances.

  3. Estimation of proportions in mixed pixels through their region characterization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chittineni, C. B. (Principal Investigator)

    1981-01-01

    A region of mixed pixels can be characterized through the probability density function of proportions of classes in the pixels. Using information from the spectral vectors of a given set of pixels from the mixed pixel region, expressions are developed for obtaining the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters of probability density functions of proportions. The proportions of classes in the mixed pixels can then be estimated. If the mixed pixels contain objects of two classes, the computation can be reduced by transforming the spectral vectors using a transformation matrix that simultaneously diagonalizes the covariance matrices of the two classes. If the proportions of the classes of a set of mixed pixels from the region are given, then expressions are developed for obtaining the estmates of the parameters of the probability density function of the proportions of mixed pixels. Development of these expressions is based on the criterion of the minimum sum of squares of errors. Experimental results from the processing of remotely sensed agricultural multispectral imagery data are presented.

  4. Theoretical study of mixing in liquid clouds – Part 1: Classical concepts

    DOE PAGES

    Korolev, Alexei; Khain, Alex; Pinsky, Mark; ...

    2016-07-28

    The present study considers final stages of in-cloud mixing in the framework of classical concept of homogeneous and extreme inhomogeneous mixing. Simple analytical relationships between basic microphysical parameters were obtained for homogeneous and extreme inhomogeneous mixing based on the adiabatic consideration. It was demonstrated that during homogeneous mixing the functional relationships between the moments of the droplets size distribution hold only during the primary stage of mixing. Subsequent random mixing between already mixed parcels and undiluted cloud parcels breaks these relationships. However, during extreme inhomogeneous mixing the functional relationships between the microphysical parameters hold both for primary and subsequent mixing.more » The obtained relationships can be used to identify the type of mixing from in situ observations. The effectiveness of the developed method was demonstrated using in situ data collected in convective clouds. It was found that for the specific set of in situ measurements the interaction between cloudy and entrained environments was dominated by extreme inhomogeneous mixing.« less

  5. Solution of the nonlinear mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equations by hybrid of block-pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials.

    PubMed

    Mashayekhi, S; Razzaghi, M; Tripak, O

    2014-01-01

    A new numerical method for solving the nonlinear mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equations is presented. This method is based upon hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting of block-pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials are presented. The operational matrices of integration and product are given. These matrices are then utilized to reduce the nonlinear mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equations to the solution of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.

  6. Solution of the Nonlinear Mixed Volterra-Fredholm Integral Equations by Hybrid of Block-Pulse Functions and Bernoulli Polynomials

    PubMed Central

    Mashayekhi, S.; Razzaghi, M.; Tripak, O.

    2014-01-01

    A new numerical method for solving the nonlinear mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equations is presented. This method is based upon hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting of block-pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials are presented. The operational matrices of integration and product are given. These matrices are then utilized to reduce the nonlinear mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equations to the solution of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique. PMID:24523638

  7. Passive Mixing Capabilities of Micro- and Nanofibres When Used in Microfluidic Systems.

    PubMed

    Matlock-Colangelo, Lauren; Colangelo, Nicholas W; Fenzl, Christoph; Frey, Margaret W; Baeumner, Antje J

    2016-08-05

    Nanofibres are increasingly being used in the field of bioanalytics due to their large surface-area-to-volume ratios and easy-to-functionalize surfaces. To date, nanofibres have been studied as effective filters, concentrators, and immobilization matrices within microfluidic devices. In addition, they are frequently used as optical and electrochemical transduction materials. In this work, we demonstrate that electrospun nanofibre mats cause appreciable passive mixing and therefore provide dual functionality when incorporated within microfluidic systems. Specifically, electrospun nanofibre mats were integrated into Y-shaped poly(methyl methacrylate) microchannels and the degree of mixing was quantified using fluorescence microscopy and ImageJ analysis. The degree of mixing afforded in relationship to fibre diameter, mat height, and mat length was studied. We observed that the most mixing was caused by small diameter PVA nanofibres (450-550 nm in diameter), producing up to 71% mixing at the microchannel outlet, compared to up to 51% with polystyrene microfibres (0.8-2.7 μm in diameter) and 29% mixing in control channels containing no fibres. The mixing afforded by the PVA nanofibres is caused by significant inhomogeneity in pore size and distribution leading to percolation. As expected, within all the studies, fluid mixing increased with fibre mat height, which corresponds to the vertical space of the microchannel occupied by the fibre mats. Doubling the height of the fibre mat led to an average increase in mixing of 14% for the PVA nanofibres and 8% for the PS microfibres. Overall, mixing was independent of the length of the fibre mat used (3-10 mm), suggesting that most mixing occurs as fluid enters and exits the fibre mat. The mixing effects observed within the fibre mats were comparable to or better than many passive mixers reported in literature. Since the nanofibre mats can be further functionalized to couple analyte concentration, immobilization, and detection with enhanced fluid mixing, they are a promising nanomaterial providing dual-functionality within lab-on-a-chip devices.

  8. Passive Mixing Capabilities of Micro- and Nanofibres When Used in Microfluidic Systems

    PubMed Central

    Matlock-Colangelo, Lauren; Colangelo, Nicholas W.; Fenzl, Christoph; Frey, Margaret W.; Baeumner, Antje J.

    2016-01-01

    Nanofibres are increasingly being used in the field of bioanalytics due to their large surface-area-to-volume ratios and easy-to-functionalize surfaces. To date, nanofibres have been studied as effective filters, concentrators, and immobilization matrices within microfluidic devices. In addition, they are frequently used as optical and electrochemical transduction materials. In this work, we demonstrate that electrospun nanofibre mats cause appreciable passive mixing and therefore provide dual functionality when incorporated within microfluidic systems. Specifically, electrospun nanofibre mats were integrated into Y-shaped poly(methyl methacrylate) microchannels and the degree of mixing was quantified using fluorescence microscopy and ImageJ analysis. The degree of mixing afforded in relationship to fibre diameter, mat height, and mat length was studied. We observed that the most mixing was caused by small diameter PVA nanofibres (450–550 nm in diameter), producing up to 71% mixing at the microchannel outlet, compared to up to 51% with polystyrene microfibres (0.8–2.7 μm in diameter) and 29% mixing in control channels containing no fibres. The mixing afforded by the PVA nanofibres is caused by significant inhomogeneity in pore size and distribution leading to percolation. As expected, within all the studies, fluid mixing increased with fibre mat height, which corresponds to the vertical space of the microchannel occupied by the fibre mats. Doubling the height of the fibre mat led to an average increase in mixing of 14% for the PVA nanofibres and 8% for the PS microfibres. Overall, mixing was independent of the length of the fibre mat used (3–10 mm), suggesting that most mixing occurs as fluid enters and exits the fibre mat. The mixing effects observed within the fibre mats were comparable to or better than many passive mixers reported in literature. Since the nanofibre mats can be further functionalized to couple analyte concentration, immobilization, and detection with enhanced fluid mixing, they are a promising nanomaterial providing dual-functionality within lab-on-a-chip devices. PMID:27527184

  9. Stability of a general mixed additive-cubic functional equation in non-Archimedean fuzzy normed spaces

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

    Xu Tianzhou; Rassias, John Michael; Xu Wanxin

    2010-09-15

    We establish some stability results concerning the general mixed additive-cubic functional equation in non-Archimedean fuzzy normed spaces. In addition, we establish some results of approximately general mixed additive-cubic mappings in non-Archimedean fuzzy normed spaces. The results improve and extend some recent results.

  10. Mutation assays involving blood cells that metabolize toxic substances

    DOEpatents

    Crespi, Charles L.; Thilly, William G.

    1985-01-01

    A line of human blood cells which have high levels of oxidative activity (such as oxygenase, oxidase, peroxidase, and hydroxylase activity) is disclosed. Such cells grow in suspension culture, and are useful to determine the mutagenicity of xenobiotic substances that are metabolized into toxic or mutagenic substances. Mutation assays using these cells, and other cells with similar characteristics, are also disclosed.

  11. Up-regulation of Heme Oxygenase-1 by Korean Red Ginseng Water Extract as a Cytoprotective Effect in Human Endothelial Cells

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Hana; Lee, Seung Eun; Jeong, Seong Il; Park, Cheung-Seog; Jin, Young-Ho; Park, Yong Seek

    2011-01-01

    Korean red ginseng (KRG) is used worldwide as a popular traditional herbal medicine. KRG has shown beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension. Up-regulation of a cytoprotective protein, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, is considered to augment the cellular defense against various agents that may induce cytotoxic injury. In the present study, we demonstrate that KRG water extract induces HO-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and possible involvement of the anti-oxidant transcription factor nuclear factor-eythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). KRG-induced HO-1 expression was examined by western blots, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence staining. Specific silencing of Nrf2 genes with Nrf2-siRNA in HUVECs abolished HO-1 expression. In addition, the HO inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin blunted the preventive effect of KRG on H2O2-induced cell death, as demonstrated by terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Taken together, these results suggest that KRG may exert a vasculoprotective effect through Nrf2- mediated HO-1 induction in human endothelial cell by inhibition of cell death. PMID:23717080

  12. A scalable lysyl hydroxylase 2 expression system and luciferase-based enzymatic activity assay

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Hou-Fu; Cho, Eun Jeong; Devkota, Ashwini K.; Chen, Yulong; Russell, William; Phillips, George N.; Yamauchi, Mitsuo; Dalby, Kevin; Kurie, Jonathan M.

    2017-01-01

    Hydroxylysine aldehyde-derived collagen cross-links (HLCCs) accumulate in fibrotic tissues and certain types of cancer and are thought to drive the progression of these diseases. HLCC formation is initiated by lysyl hydroxylase 2 (LH2), an Fe(II) and α-ketoglutarate (αKG)-dependent oxygenase that hydroxylates telopeptidyl lysine residues on collagen. Development of LH2 antagonists for the treatment of these diseases will require a reliable source of recombinant LH2 protein and a non-radioactive LH2 enzymatic activity assay that is amenable to high throughput screens of small molecule libraries. However, LH2 protein generated previously using E coli– or insect-based expression systems was either insoluble or enzymatically unstable, and LH2 enzymatic activity assays have measured radioactive CO2 released from 14C-labeled αKG during its conversion to succinate. To address these deficiencies, we have developed a scalable process to purify human LH2 protein from Chinese hamster ovary cell-derived conditioned media samples and a luciferase-based assay that quantifies LH2-dependent conversion of αKG to succinate. These methodologies may be applicable to other Fe(II) and αKG-dependent oxygenase systems. PMID:28216326

  13. Beneficial effects of the heme oxygenase-1/carbon monoxide system in patients with severe sepsis/septic shock.

    PubMed

    Takaki, Shoji; Takeyama, Naoshi; Kajita, Yuka; Yabuki, Teru; Noguchi, Hiroki; Miki, Yasuo; Inoue, Yasusuke; Nakagawa, Takashi; Noguchi, Hiroshi

    2010-01-01

    We evaluated the relations among the arterial carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression by monocytes, oxidative stress, plasma levels of cytokines and bilirubin, and the outcome of patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Thirty-six patients who fulfilled the criteria for severe sepsis or septic shock and 21 other patients without sepsis during their stay in the intensive care unit were studied. HO-1 protein expression by monocytes, arterial CO, oxidative stress, bilirubin, and cytokines were measured. Arterial blood CO, cytokine, and bilirubin levels, and monocyte HO-1 protein expression were higher in patients with severe sepsis/septic shock than in non-septic patients. Increased HO-1 expression was related to the arterial CO concentration and oxidative stress. There was a positive correlation between survival and increased HO-1 protein expression or a higher CO level. Arterial CO and monocyte HO-1 protein expression were increased in critically ill patients, particularly those with severe sepsis or septic shock, suggesting that oxidative stress is closely related to HO-1 expression. The HO-1/CO system may play an important role in sepsis.

  14. Inhalation of Carbon Monoxide Reduces Skeletal Muscle Injury Following Hind Limb Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Patel, Rajendra; Albadawi, Hassan; Steudel, Wolfgang; Hashmi, Faraz F.; Kang, Jeanwan; Yoo, Hyung-Jin; Watkins, Michael T.

    2011-01-01

    Introduction The purpose of this study was to determine if inhaled carbon monoxide (CO) can ameliorate skeletal muscle injury, modulate endogenous heme oxygenase-1 (HO) expression, improve indices of tissue integrity and inflammation following hind limb ischemia reperfusion(IR). Methods C57BL6 mice inhaling CO (250ppm) or room air were subjected to 1.5 hrs of ischemia followed by limb reperfusion for either 3 or 6 hours (total treatment time of 4.5 or 7.5 hrs). After the initial period of reperfusion, all mice breathed only room air until 24 hours after the onset of ischemia. Mice were sacrificed at either the end of CO treatment or at 24 hours reperfusion. Skeletal muscle was subjected to histologic and biochemical analysis. Results CO treatment for 7.5 hours protected skeletal muscle from histologic and structural evidence of skeletal muscle injury. Serum and tissue cytokines were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in mice treated with CO for 7.5 hours. Tubulin, Heme Oxygenase, and ATP levels were higher in CO treated mice. Conclusions Inhaled CO protected muscle from structural injury and energy depletion following IR. PMID:22450026

  15. Oxidative stress involvement in Physalis angulata-induced apoptosis in human oral cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Lee, H-Z; Liu, W-Z; Hsieh, W-T; Tang, F-Y; Chung, J-G; Leung, Henry W-C

    2009-03-01

    In this report, we investigated the role of oxidative stress in Physalis angulata-induced apoptosis of human oral cancer cells. P. angulata-induced apoptosis was characterized by nuclear morphological changes, membrane blebbing and activation of caspase-9. Exposure of HSC-3 cells to P. angulata caused production of reactive oxygen species and up-regulation of oxidative stress markers heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and caspase-4. Down-regulation of HO-1, SOD and HSP70 proteins expression by attenuation of oxidative stress, pretreatment with glutathione or N-acetylcysteine, significantly decreased P. angulata-triggered cell death. The present study also demonstrated that the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum are the targets of P. angulata in HSC-3 cells. Our results revealed that: (1) reactive oxygen species may play a dominant role in this process, (2) P. angulata induces oxidative stress in HSC-3 cells, (3) P. angulata-initiated apoptosis is caused through oxidative stress-dependent induction of heme oxygenase-1, Cu/Zn SOD and HSP70 proteins expression and (4) antioxidants inhibited P. angulata-induced cell death through inhibition of the proteins expression of HO-1, Cu/Zn SOD and HSP70.

  16. Heme oxygenase-1 is a critical regulator of nitric oxide production in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli-infected human enterocytes.

    PubMed

    Vareille, Marjolaine; Rannou, François; Thélier, Natacha; Glasser, Anne-Lise; de Sablet, Thibaut; Martin, Christine; Gobert, Alain P

    2008-04-15

    Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are the causative agent of hemolytic-uremic syndrome. In the first stage of the infection, EHEC interact with human enterocytes to modulate the innate immune response. Inducible NO synthase (iNOS)-derived NO is a critical mediator of the inflammatory response of the infected intestinal mucosa. We therefore aimed to analyze the role of EHEC on iNOS induction in human epithelial cell lines. In this regard, we show that EHEC down-regulate IFN-gamma-induced iNOS mRNA expression and NO production in Hct-8, Caco-2, and T84 cells. This inhibitory effect occurs through the decrease of STAT-1 activation. In parallel, we demonstrate that EHEC stimulate the rapid inducible expression of the gene hmox-1 that encodes for the enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Knock-down of hmox-1 gene expression by small interfering RNA or the blockade of HO-1 activity by zinc protoporphyrin IX abrogated the EHEC-dependent inhibition of STAT-1 activation and iNOS mRNA expression in activated human enterocytes. These results highlight a new strategy elaborated by EHEC to control the host innate immune response.

  17. Arachidonic acid is involved in the regulation of hCG induced steroidogenesis in rat Leydig cells

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

    Didolkar, A.K.; Sundaram, K.

    1987-07-27

    Phospholipase C (PLC), an enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipid- phosphatidylinositol-bisphosphate to insositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol, and Phorbol 12, myristate 13, acetate (PMA) could significantly stimulate testosterone (T) secretion from Leydig cells. Arachidonic acid (AA) stimulated T secretion by about 2 fold. The steroidogenic effect of PLC and AA was biphasic. At low concentrations both PLC and AA augmented hCG induced T secretion, while at higher concentrations they inhibited steroid production. AA also had a biphasic effect on hCG induced cyclic AMP secretion. 5,8,11,14 Eicosatetrayenoic acid, a general inhibitor of AA metabolism, and Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, an inhibitor ofmore » the lipoxygenase pathway of AA metabolism, inhibited hCG induced T secretion while indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase pathway, had no effect on hCG induced T secretion. The authors conclude from these data that AA plays a role in the regulation of hCG induced steroidogenic responses in rat Leydig cells and that the metabolite(s) of AA that are involved are not cyclo-oxygenase products. 28 references, 4 figures, 2 tables.« less

  18. Practical approaches to minimizing gastrointestinal and cardiovascular safety concerns with COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs

    PubMed Central

    2005-01-01

    Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are highly effective in treating the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but it is well recognized that these agents are associated with substantial gastrointestinal toxicity. Treatment guidelines suggest that patients with one or more risk factors for NSAID associated ulcers should be prescribed preventive treatment. However, well over 80% of such patients may not receive an appropriate therapeutic intervention. Multiple strategies are available to reduce the risk for NSAID associated gastrointestinal complications. First, risk may be reduced by using non-NSAID analgesics. Second, use of the minimum effective dose of the NSAID may reduce risk. Third, co-therapy with a proton pump inhibitor or misoprostol may be desirable in at-risk patients. Use of cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors may also reduce the risk for gastrointestinal events, although this benefit is eliminated in patients who receive aspirin, and cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors may increase cardiovascular adverse events. The optimal management of NSAID related gastrointestinal complications must be based on the individual patient's risk factors for gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disease, as well as on the efficacy and tolerability of both the NSAID and accompanying gastroprotective agent. PMID:16168078

  19. 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

  20. Inhibition of murine T-cell responses by anti-oxidants: the targets of lipo-oxygenase pathway inhibitors.

    PubMed Central

    Dornand, J; Gerber, M

    1989-01-01

    We have previously established that oxidative phenomena are involved in human T-cell activation (Sekkat, Dornand & Gerber, 1988). In the present work we have studied the effect of different anti-oxidants (scavengers of O2-, .OH and lipo-oxygenase inhibitors) on the stimulation of murine T cells. We report here that all the anti-oxidants used suppressed T-lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 synthesis, the former effect resulting very likely from the latter. This inhibition was concomitant with the triggering of activation. We also demonstrate that the various anti-oxidants have different biochemical targets. Unlike the other compounds, the phenolic drugs nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), which block lipid peroxidation, affect both signals triggered by the binding of lectin to its receptors: they suppress the rise of intracellular free calcium concentration and inhibit some of the events, depending on the sole protein kinase C activation, namely IL-2 receptor expression and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced pH change. Our results are discussed within the framework of a possible involvement of reactive oxygen species and of arachidonic acid derivative(s) in T-cell activation and IL-2 production. PMID:2512249

  1. Carbon monoxide derived from heme oxygenase-2 mediates reduction of methylmercury toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells

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

    Toyama, Takashi; Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science; Shinkai, Yasuhiro

    2010-11-15

    We examined the contribution of carbon monoxide (CO), an enzymatic product of heme oxygenase (HO), to methylmercury (MeHg) cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, because this gas molecule is reported to activate Nrf2, which plays a protective role against MeHg-mediated cell damage. Exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to CO gas resulted in protection against MeHg cytotoxicity, with activation of Nrf2. Interestingly, pretreatment with tin-protoporphyrin IX, a specific inhibitor of HO, caused a reduction in basal Nrf2 activity and thus enhanced sensitivity to MeHg. No induction of isoform 1 of HO (HO-1) was seen during MeHg exposure, but constitutive expression of isoform 2 (HO-2)more » occurred, suggesting that CO produced by HO-2 is the main participant in the protection against MeHg toxicity. Studies of small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of HO-2 in the cells supported this possibility. Our results suggest that CO gas and its producing enzyme HO-2 are key molecules in cellular protection against MeHg, presumably through basal activation of Nrf2.« less

  2. Involvement of a Lipoxygenase-Like Enzyme in Abscisic Acid Biosynthesis 1

    PubMed Central

    Creelman, Robert A.; Bell, Erin; Mullet, John E.

    1992-01-01

    Several lines of evidence indicate that abscisic acid (ABA) is derived from 9′-cis-neoxanthin or 9′-cis-violaxanthin with xanthoxin as an intermediate. 18O-labeling experiments show incorporation primarily into the side chain carboxyl group of ABA, suggesting that oxidative cleavage occurs at the 11, 12 (11′, 12′) double bond of xanthophylls. Carbon monoxide, a strong inhibitor of heme-containing P-450 monooxygenases, did not inhibit ABA accumulation, suggesting that the oxygenase catalyzing the carotenoid cleavage step did not contain heme. This observation, plus the ability of lipoxygenase to make xanthoxin from violaxanthin, suggested that a lipoxygenase-like enzyme is involved in ABA biosynthesis. To test this idea, the ability of several soybean (Glycine max L.) lipoxygenase inhibitors (5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and naproxen) to inhibit stress-induced ABA accumulation in soybean cell culture and soybean seedlings was determined. All lipoxygenase inhibitors significantly inhibited ABA accumulation in response to stress. These results suggest that the in vivo oxidative cleavage reaction involved in ABA biosynthesis requires activity of a nonheme oxygenase having lipoxygenase-like properties. PMID:16668998

  3. Nrf2-dependent induction of innate host defense via heme oxygenase-1 inhibits Zika virus replication

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

    Huang, Hanxia; Falgout, Barry; Takeda, Kazuyo

    We identified primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) as vulnerable target cells for Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. We demonstrate dramatic effects of hemin, the natural inducer of the heme catabolic enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), in the reduction of ZIKV replication in vitro. Both LLC-MK2 monkey kidney cells and primary MDM exhibited hemin-induced HO-1 expression with major reductions of >90% in ZIKV replication, with little toxicity to infected cells. Silencing expression of HO-1 or its upstream regulatory gene, nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2), attenuated hemin-induced suppression of ZIKV infection, suggesting an important role for induction of these intracellular mediators in retardingmore » ZIKV replication. The inverse correlation between hemin-induced HO-1 levels and ZIKV replication provides a potentially useful therapeutic modality based on stimulation of an innate cellular response against Zika virus infection. - Highlights: •Hemin treatment protected monocyte-derived macrophages against Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. •Innate cellular protection against ZIKV infection correlated with Nrf2-dependent HO-1 expression. •Stimulation of innate cellular responses may provide a therapeutic strategy against ZIKV infection.« less

  4. Epigallocatechin activates haem oxygenase-1 expression via protein kinase Cδ and Nrf2

    PubMed Central

    Ogborne, Richard M.; Rushworth, Stuart A.; O’Connell, Maria A.

    2008-01-01

    The Nrf2/anti-oxidant response element (ARE) pathway plays an important role in regulating cellular anti-oxidants, including haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Various kinases have been implicated in the pathways leading to Nrf2 activation. Here, we investigated the effect of epigallocatechin (EGC) on ARE-mediated gene expression in human monocytic cells. EGC time and dose dependently increased HO-1 mRNA and protein expression but had minimal effect on expression of other ARE-regulated genes, including NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, glutathione cysteine ligase and ferritin. siRNA knock down of Nrf2 significantly inhibited EGC-induced HO-1 expression. Furthermore, inhibition of PKC by Ro-31-8220 dose dependently decreased EGC-induced HO-1 mRNA expression, whereas MAP kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway inhibitors had no significant effect. EGC stimulated phosphorylation of PKCαβ and δ in THP-1 cells. PKCδ inhibition significantly decreased EGC-induced HO-1 mRNA expression, whereas PKCα- and β-specific inhibitors had no significant effect. These results demonstrate for the first time that EGC-induced HO-1 expression occurs via PKCδ and Nrf2. PMID:18586007

  5. Investigation of the immunosuppressive activity of Physalin H on T lymphocytes.

    PubMed

    Yu, Youjun; Sun, Lijuan; Ma, Lei; Li, Jiyu; Hu, Lihong; Liu, Jianwen

    2010-03-01

    Physalis angulata is an annual herb widely used in folk medicine. It is mainly used for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Following bioactivity-guided isolation, a representative immunosuppressive compound, Physalin H was been identified from this herb medicine. The purpose of this work was to assess the immunosuppressive activity of Physalin H on T cells and to explore its potential mode of action. The results showed that Physalin H in a dose-dependent manner significantly inhibited the proliferation of T cells induced by concanavalin A (ConA) and by the mixed lymphocyte culture reaction (MLR). This inhibitive activity was mainly due to interfering DNA replication in G1 stages. In vivo experiments showed that, administration of Physalin H dose-dependently suppressed CD4(+) T cell mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, and suppressed antigen-specific T-cell response in ovalbumin (OVA) immunized mice. Further study indicated that Physalin H could modulate Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and induce the production of immune regulation target Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in T-cells in vitro. In this study, we demonstrated the immunosuppressive effect of Physalin H on T cells both in vitro and in vivo, and the immunosuppressive activity might be attributed to the suppression of T cell activation and proliferation, the modulation of Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and the induction of HO-1 in T cells. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Nuclear accumulation of myocyte muscle LIM protein is regulated by heme oxygenase 1 and correlates with cardiac function in the transition to failure

    PubMed Central

    Paudyal, Anju; Dewan, Sukriti; Ikie, Cindy; Whalley, Benjamin J; de Tombe, Pieter P.

    2016-01-01

    Key points The present study investigated the mechanism associated with impaired cardiac mechanosensing that leads to heart failure by examining the factors regulating muscle LIM protein subcellular distribution in myocytes.In myocytes, muscle LIM protein subcellular distribution is regulated by cell contractility rather than passive stretch via heme oxygenase‐1 and histone deacetylase signalling. The result of the present study provide new insights into mechanotransduction in cardiac myocytes.Myocyte mechanosensitivity, as indicated by the muscle LIM protein ratio, is also correlated with cardiac function in the transition to failure in a guinea‐pig model of disease. This shows that the loss mechanosensitivity plays an important role during the transition to failure in the heart.The present study provides the first indication that mechanosensing could be modified pharmacologically during the transition to heart failure. Abstract Impaired mechanosensing leads to heart failure and a decreased ratio of cytoplasmic to nuclear CSRP3/muscle LIM protein (MLP ratio) is associated with a loss of mechanosensitivity. In the present study, we tested whether passive or active stress/strain was important in modulating the MLP ratio and determined whether this correlated with heart function during the transition to failure. We exposed cultured neonatal rat myocytes to a 10% cyclic mechanical stretch at 1 Hz, or electrically paced myocytes at 6.8 V (1 Hz) for 48 h. The MLP ratio decreased by 50% (P < 0.05, n = 4) only in response to electrical pacing, suggesting impaired mechanosensitivity. Inhibition of contractility with 10 μm blebbistatin resulted in an ∼3‐fold increase in the MLP ratio (n = 8, P < 0.05), indicating that myocyte contractility regulates nuclear MLP. Inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) signalling with trichostatin A increased nuclear MLP following passive stretch, suggesting that HDACs block MLP nuclear accumulation. Inhibition of heme oxygenase1 (HO‐1) activity with protoporphyrin IX zinc(II) blocked MLP nuclear accumulation. To examine how mechanosensitivity changes during the transition to heart failure, we studied a guinea‐pig model of angiotensin II infusion (400 ng kg–1 min–1) over 12 weeks. Using subcellular fractionation, we showed that the MLP ratio increased by 88% (n = 4, P < 0.01) during compensated hypertrophy but decreased significantly during heart failure (P < 0.001, n = 4). The MLP ratio correlated significantly with the E/A ratio (r = 0.71, P < 0.01, n = 12), a clinical measure of diastolic function. These data indicate for the first time that myocyte mechanosensitivity as indicated by the MLP ratio is regulated primarily by myocyte contractility via HO‐1 and HDAC signalling. PMID:26847743

  7. PAR-2 regulates dental pulp inflammation associated with caries.

    PubMed

    Lundy, F T; About, I; Curtis, T M; McGahon, M K; Linden, G J; Irwin, C R; El Karim, I A

    2010-07-01

    Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are G-protein-coupled receptors that are activated enzymatically by proteolysis of an N-terminal domain. The cleavage and activation of PARs by serine proteases represent a novel mechanism by which such enzymes could influence the host inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to determine whether PAR-2 expression and activation were increased in dental caries. Using immunohistochemistry, we showed PAR-2 to be localized to pulp cells subjacent to caries lesions, but minimally expressed by healthy pulp tissue. Trypsin and the PAR-2 agonist (PAR2-AP) activated PAR-2 in an in vitro functional assay. Endogenous molecules present in pulp cell lysates from carious teeth specifically activated PAR-2, but those from healthy teeth failed to do so. The activation of PAR-2 in vitro was shown to increase the expression of the pro-inflammatory mediator cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), providing a mechanism whereby PAR-2 could modulate pulpal inflammation.

  8. Peroxide Activation for Electrophilic Reactivity by the Binuclear Non-heme Iron Enzyme AurF

    DOE PAGES

    Park, Kiyoung; Li, Ning; Kwak, Yeonju; ...

    2017-05-01

    Binuclear non-heme iron enzymes activate O 2 for diverse chemistries that include oxygenation of organic substrates and hydrogen atom abstraction. This process often involves the formation of peroxo-bridged biferric intermediates, only some of which can perform electrophilic reactions. To elucidate the geometric and electronic structural requirements to activate peroxo reactivity, the active peroxo intermediate in 4-aminobenzoate N-oxygenase (AurF) has been characterized spectroscopically and computationally. A magnetic circular dichroism study of reduced AurF shows that its electronic and geometric structures are poised to react rapidly with O 2. Nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopic definition of the peroxo intermediate formed in this reactionmore » shows that the active intermediate has a protonated peroxo bridge. Density functional theory computations on the structure established here show that the protonation activates peroxide for electrophilic/single-electron-transfer reactivity. As a result, this activation of peroxide by protonation is likely also relevant to the reactive peroxo intermediates in other binuclear non-heme iron enzymes.« less

  9. A short history of RubisCO: the rise and fall (?) of Nature's predominant CO2 fixing enzyme.

    PubMed

    Erb, Tobias J; Zarzycki, Jan

    2018-02-01

    Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) is arguably one of the most abundant proteins in the biosphere and a key enzyme in the global carbon cycle. Although RubisCO has been intensively studied, its evolutionary origins and rise as Nature's most dominant carbon dioxide (CO 2 )-fixing enzyme still remain in the dark. In this review we will bring together biochemical, structural, physiological, microbiological, as well as phylogenetic data to speculate on the evolutionary roots of the CO 2 -fixation reaction of RubisCO, the emergence of RubisCO-based autotrophic CO 2 -fixation in the context of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle, and the further evolution of RubisCO into the 'RubisCOsome', a complex of various proteins assembling and interacting with the enzyme to improve its operational capacity (functionality) under different biological and environmental conditions. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  10. Evolving Methanococcoides burtonii archaeal Rubisco for improved photosynthesis and plant growth

    PubMed Central

    Wilson, Robert H.; Alonso, Hernan; Whitney, Spencer M.

    2016-01-01

    In photosynthesis Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) catalyses the often rate limiting CO2-fixation step in the Calvin cycle. This makes Rubisco both the gatekeeper for carbon entry into the biosphere and a target for functional improvement to enhance photosynthesis and plant growth. Encumbering the catalytic performance of Rubisco is its highly conserved, complex catalytic chemistry. Accordingly, traditional efforts to enhance Rubisco catalysis using protracted “trial and error” protein engineering approaches have met with limited success. Here we demonstrate the versatility of high throughput directed (laboratory) protein evolution for improving the carboxylation properties of a non-photosynthetic Rubisco from the archaea Methanococcoides burtonii. Using chloroplast transformation in the model plant Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) we confirm the improved forms of M. burtonii Rubisco increased photosynthesis and growth relative to tobacco controls producing wild-type M. burtonii Rubisco. Our findings indicate continued directed evolution of archaeal Rubisco offers new potential for enhancing leaf photosynthesis and plant growth. PMID:26926260

  11. From chaperonins to Rubisco assembly and metabolic repair.

    PubMed

    Hayer-Hartl, Manajit

    2017-12-01

    Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) mediates the fixation of atmospheric CO 2 in photosynthesis by catalyzing the carboxylation of the 5-carbon sugar ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP). Despite its pivotal role, Rubisco is an inefficient enzyme and thus has been a key target for bioengineering. However, efforts to increase crop yields by Rubisco engineering remain unsuccessful, due in part to the complex machinery of molecular chaperones required for Rubisco biogenesis and metabolic repair. While the large subunit of Rubisco generally requires the chaperonin system for folding, the evolution of the hexadecameric Rubisco from its dimeric precursor resulted in the dependence on an array of additional factors required for assembly. Moreover, Rubisco function can be inhibited by a range of sugar-phosphate ligands. Metabolic repair of Rubisco depends on remodeling by the ATP-dependent Rubisco activase and hydrolysis of inhibitors by specific phosphatases. This review highlights our work toward understanding the structure and mechanism of these auxiliary machineries. © 2017 The Protein Society.

  12. Evolving Methanococcoides burtonii archaeal Rubisco for improved photosynthesis and plant growth.

    PubMed

    Wilson, Robert H; Alonso, Hernan; Whitney, Spencer M

    2016-03-01

    In photosynthesis Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) catalyses the often rate limiting CO2-fixation step in the Calvin cycle. This makes Rubisco both the gatekeeper for carbon entry into the biosphere and a target for functional improvement to enhance photosynthesis and plant growth. Encumbering the catalytic performance of Rubisco is its highly conserved, complex catalytic chemistry. Accordingly, traditional efforts to enhance Rubisco catalysis using protracted "trial and error" protein engineering approaches have met with limited success. Here we demonstrate the versatility of high throughput directed (laboratory) protein evolution for improving the carboxylation properties of a non-photosynthetic Rubisco from the archaea Methanococcoides burtonii. Using chloroplast transformation in the model plant Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) we confirm the improved forms of M. burtonii Rubisco increased photosynthesis and growth relative to tobacco controls producing wild-type M. burtonii Rubisco. Our findings indicate continued directed evolution of archaeal Rubisco offers new potential for enhancing leaf photosynthesis and plant growth.

  13. Limonene protects osteoblasts against methylglyoxal-derived adduct formation by regulating glyoxalase, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function.

    PubMed

    Suh, Kwang Sik; Chon, Suk; Choi, Eun Mi

    2017-12-25

    Methylglyoxal (MG) is a potent protein glycating agent and an important precursor of advanced glycation end products, which are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic osteopathy. In this study, we investigated the effects of limonene on MG-induced damage in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Pretreating cells with limonene prevented MG-induced protein adduct formation, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 release, mitochondrial superoxide production, and cardiolipin peroxidation. In addition, limonene increased glyoxalase I activity, and glutathione and heme oxygenase-1 levels in the presence of MG. Pretreatment with limonene prior to MG exposure reduced MG-induced mitochondrial dysfunction by preventing mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation and adenosine triphosphate loss, and reduced the levels of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator 1α, and nitric oxide. These results demonstrate that limonene may prevent the development of diabetic osteopathy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. A RuBisCO-mediated carbon metabolic pathway in methanogenic archaea

    PubMed Central

    Kono, Takunari; Mehrotra, Sandhya; Endo, Chikako; Kizu, Natsuko; Matusda, Mami; Kimura, Hiroyuki; Mizohata, Eiichi; Inoue, Tsuyoshi; Hasunuma, Tomohisa; Yokota, Akiho; Matsumura, Hiroyoshi; Ashida, Hiroki

    2017-01-01

    Two enzymes are considered to be unique to the photosynthetic Calvin–Benson cycle: ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), responsible for CO2 fixation, and phosphoribulokinase (PRK). Some archaea possess bona fide RuBisCOs, despite not being photosynthetic organisms, but are thought to lack PRK. Here we demonstrate the existence in methanogenic archaea of a carbon metabolic pathway involving RuBisCO and PRK, which we term ‘reductive hexulose-phosphate' (RHP) pathway. These archaea possess both RuBisCO and a catalytically active PRK whose crystal structure resembles that of photosynthetic bacterial PRK. Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometric analysis of metabolites reveals that the RHP pathway, which differs from the Calvin–Benson cycle only in a few steps, is active in vivo. Our work highlights evolutionary and functional links between RuBisCO-mediated carbon metabolic pathways in methanogenic archaea and photosynthetic organisms. Whether the RHP pathway allows for autotrophy (that is, growth exclusively with CO2 as carbon source) remains unknown. PMID:28082747

  15. Peroxide Activation for Electrophilic Reactivity by the Binuclear Non-heme Iron Enzyme AurF

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

    Park, Kiyoung; Li, Ning; Kwak, Yeonju

    Binuclear non-heme iron enzymes activate O 2 for diverse chemistries that include oxygenation of organic substrates and hydrogen atom abstraction. This process often involves the formation of peroxo-bridged biferric intermediates, only some of which can perform electrophilic reactions. To elucidate the geometric and electronic structural requirements to activate peroxo reactivity, the active peroxo intermediate in 4-aminobenzoate N-oxygenase (AurF) has been characterized spectroscopically and computationally. A magnetic circular dichroism study of reduced AurF shows that its electronic and geometric structures are poised to react rapidly with O 2. Nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopic definition of the peroxo intermediate formed in this reactionmore » shows that the active intermediate has a protonated peroxo bridge. Density functional theory computations on the structure established here show that the protonation activates peroxide for electrophilic/single-electron-transfer reactivity. As a result, this activation of peroxide by protonation is likely also relevant to the reactive peroxo intermediates in other binuclear non-heme iron enzymes.« less

  16. Rubisco small-subunit α-helices control pyrenoid formation in Chlamydomonas

    PubMed Central

    Meyer, Moritz T.; Genkov, Todor; Skepper, Jeremy N.; Jouhet, Juliette; Mitchell, Madeline C.; Spreitzer, Robert J.; Griffiths, Howard

    2012-01-01

    The pyrenoid is a subcellular microcompartment in which algae sequester the primary carboxylase, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). The pyrenoid is associated with a CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM), which improves the operating efficiency of carbon assimilation and overcomes diffusive limitations in aquatic photosynthesis. Using the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we show that pyrenoid formation, Rubisco aggregation, and CCM activity relate to discrete regions of the Rubisco small subunit (SSU). Specifically, pyrenoid occurrence was shown to be conditioned by the amino acid composition of two surface-exposed α-helices of the SSU: higher plant-like helices knock out the pyrenoid, whereas native algal helices establish a pyrenoid. We have also established that pyrenoid integrity was essential for the operation of an active CCM. With the algal CCM being functionally analogous to the terrestrial C4 pathway in higher plants, such insights may offer a route toward transforming algal and higher plant productivity for the future. PMID:23112177

  17. Hypoxia-regulated therapeutic gene as a preemptive treatment strategy against ischemia/reperfusion tissue injury.

    PubMed

    Pachori, Alok S; Melo, Luis G; Hart, Melanie L; Noiseux, Nicholas; Zhang, Lunan; Morello, Fulvio; Solomon, Scott D; Stahl, Gregory L; Pratt, Richard E; Dzau, Victor J

    2004-08-17

    Ischemia and reperfusion represent major mechanisms of tissue injury and organ failure. The timing of administration and the duration of action limit current treatment approaches using pharmacological agents. In this study, we have successfully developed a preemptive strategy for tissue protection using an adenoassociated vector system containing erythropoietin hypoxia response elements for ischemia-regulated expression of the therapeutic gene human heme-oxygenase-1 (hHO-1). We demonstrate that a single administration of this vector several weeks in advance of ischemia/reperfusion injury to multiple tissues such as heart, liver, and skeletal muscle yields rapid and timely induction of hHO-1 during ischemia that resulted in dramatic reduction in tissue damage. In addition, overexpression of therapeutic transgene prevented long-term pathological tissue remodeling and normalized tissue function. Application of this regulatable system using an endogenous physiological stimulus for expression of a therapeutic gene may be a feasible strategy for protecting tissues at risk of ischemia/reperfusion injury.

  18. Hypoxia-regulated therapeutic gene as a preemptive treatment strategy against ischemia/reperfusion tissue injury

    PubMed Central

    Pachori, Alok S.; Melo, Luis G.; Hart, Melanie L.; Noiseux, Nicholas; Zhang, Lunan; Morello, Fulvio; Solomon, Scott D.; Stahl, Gregory L.; Pratt, Richard E.; Dzau, Victor J.

    2004-01-01

    Ischemia and reperfusion represent major mechanisms of tissue injury and organ failure. The timing of administration and the duration of action limit current treatment approaches using pharmacological agents. In this study, we have successfully developed a preemptive strategy for tissue protection using an adenoassociated vector system containing erythropoietin hypoxia response elements for ischemia-regulated expression of the therapeutic gene human heme-oxygenase-1 (hHO-1). We demonstrate that a single administration of this vector several weeks in advance of ischemia/reperfusion injury to multiple tissues such as heart, liver, and skeletal muscle yields rapid and timely induction of hHO-1 during ischemia that resulted in dramatic reduction in tissue damage. In addition, overexpression of therapeutic transgene prevented long-term pathological tissue remodeling and normalized tissue function. Application of this regulatable system using an endogenous physiological stimulus for expression of a therapeutic gene may be a feasible strategy for protecting tissues at risk of ischemia/reperfusion injury. PMID:15302924

  19. Hypoxia-regulated therapeutic gene as a preemptive treatment strategy against ischemia/reperfusion tissue injury

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pachori, Alok S.; Melo, Luis G.; Hart, Melanie L.; Noiseux, Nicholas; Zhang, Lunan; Morello, Fulvio; Solomon, Scott D.; Stahl, Gregory L.; Pratt, Richard E.; Dzau, Victor J.

    2004-08-01

    Ischemia and reperfusion represent major mechanisms of tissue injury and organ failure. The timing of administration and the duration of action limit current treatment approaches using pharmacological agents. In this study, we have successfully developed a preemptive strategy for tissue protection using an adenoassociated vector system containing erythropoietin hypoxia response elements for ischemia-regulated expression of the therapeutic gene human heme-oxygenase-1 (hHO-1). We demonstrate that a single administration of this vector several weeks in advance of ischemia/reperfusion injury to multiple tissues such as heart, liver, and skeletal muscle yields rapid and timely induction of hHO-1 during ischemia that resulted in dramatic reduction in tissue damage. In addition, overexpression of therapeutic transgene prevented long-term pathological tissue remodeling and normalized tissue function. Application of this regulatable system using an endogenous physiological stimulus for expression of a therapeutic gene may be a feasible strategy for protecting tissues at risk of ischemia/reperfusion injury.

  20. Glycosylation enables aesculin to activate Nrf2.

    PubMed

    Kim, Kyun Ha; Park, Hyunsu; Park, Hee Jin; Choi, Kyoung-Hwa; Sadikot, Ruxana T; Cha, Jaeho; Joo, Myungsoo

    2016-07-15

    Since aesculin, 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin-6-O-β-glucopyranoside, suppresses inflammation, we asked whether its anti-inflammatory activity is associated with the activation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key anti-inflammatory factor. Our results, however, show that aesculin marginally activated Nrf2. Since glycosylation can enhance the function of a compound, we then asked whether adding a glucose makes aesculin activate Nrf2. Our results show that the glycosylated aesculin, 3-O-β-d-glycosyl aesculin, robustly activated Nrf2, inducing the expression of Nrf2-dependent genes, such as heme oxygenase-1, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 in macrophages. Mechanistically, 3-O-β-d-glycosyl aesculin suppressed ubiquitination of Nrf2, retarding degradation of Nrf2. Unlike aesculin, 3-O-β-d-glycosyl aesculin significantly suppressed neutrophilic lung inflammation, a hallmark of acute lung injury (ALI), in mice, which was not recapitulated in Nrf2 knockout mice, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory function of the compound largely acts through Nrf2. In a mouse model of sepsis, a major cause of ALI, 3-O-β-d-glycosyl aesculin significantly enhanced the survival of mice, compared with aesculin. Together, these results show that glycosylation could confer the ability to activate Nrf2 on aesculin, enhancing the anti-inflammatory function of aesculin. These results suggest that glycosylation can be a way to improve or alter the function of aesculin.

  1. HemR is an OmpR/PhoB-like response regulator from Leptospira, which simultaneously effects transcriptional activation and repression of key haem metabolism genes.

    PubMed

    Morero, Natalia R; Botti, Horacio; Nitta, Kazuhiro R; Carrión, Federico; Obal, Gonzalo; Picardeau, Mathieu; Buschiazzo, Alejandro

    2014-10-01

    Several Leptospira species cause leptospirosis, the most extended zoonosis worldwide. In bacteria, two-component systems constitute key signalling pathways, some of which are involved in pathogenesis. The physiological roles of two-component systems in Leptospira are largely unknown, despite identifying several dozens within their genomes. Biochemical confirmation of an operative phosphorelaying two-component system has been obtained so far only for the Hklep/Rrlep pair. It is known that hklep/rrlep knockout strains of Leptospira biflexa result in haem auxotrophy, although their de novo biosynthesis machinery remains fully functional. Haem is essential for Leptospira, but information about Hklep/Rrlep effector function(s) and target(s) is still lacking. We are now reporting a thorough molecular characterization of this system, which we rename HemK/HemR. The DNA HemR-binding motif was determined, and found within the genomes of saprophyte and pathogenic Leptospira. In this way, putative HemR-regulated genes were pinpointed, including haem catabolism-related (hmuO - haem oxygenase) and biosynthesis-related (the hemA/C/D/B/L/E/N/G operon). Specific HemR binding to these two promoters was quantified, and a dual function was observed in vivo, inversely repressing the hmuO, while activating the hemA operon transcription. The crystal structure of HemR receiver domain was determined, leading to a mechanistic model for its dual regulatory role. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  2. Flavonoid-Rich Apple Improves Endothelial Function in Individuals at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

    PubMed

    Bondonno, Nicola P; Bondonno, Catherine P; Blekkenhorst, Lauren C; Considine, Michael J; Maghzal, Ghassan; Stocker, Roland; Woodman, Richard J; Ward, Natalie C; Hodgson, Jonathan M; Croft, Kevin D

    2018-02-01

    The cardioprotective effects of apples are primarily attributed to flavonoids, found predominantly in the skin. This study aimed to determine if acute and/or chronic (4 weeks) ingestion of flavonoid-rich apples improves endothelial function, blood pressure (BP), and arterial stiffness in individuals at risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this randomized, controlled cross-over trial, acute and 4 week intake of apple with skin (high flavonoid apple, HFA) is compared to intake of apple flesh only (low flavonoid apple, LFA) in 30 participants. The primary outcome is endothelial function assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, while main secondary outcomes are 24 h ambulatory BP and arterial stiffness. Other outcomes include fasting serum glucose and lipoprotein profile, plasma heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox-1), F 2 -isoprostanes, flavonoid metabolites, and plasma and salivary nitrate (NO 3 - ) and nitrite (NO 2 - ) concentrations. Compared to LFA control, the HFA results in a significant increase in FMD acutely (0.8%, p < 0.001) and after 4 weeks chronic intake (0.5%, p < 0.001), and in plasma flavonoid metabolites (p < 0.0001). Other outcomes are not altered significantly. A lower risk of CVD with higher apple consumption could be mediated by the beneficial effect of apple skin on endothelial function, both acutely and chronically. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  3. Supervised nonlinear spectral unmixing using a postnonlinear mixing model for hyperspectral imagery.

    PubMed

    Altmann, Yoann; Halimi, Abderrahim; Dobigeon, Nicolas; Tourneret, Jean-Yves

    2012-06-01

    This paper presents a nonlinear mixing model for hyperspectral image unmixing. The proposed model assumes that the pixel reflectances are nonlinear functions of pure spectral components contaminated by an additive white Gaussian noise. These nonlinear functions are approximated using polynomial functions leading to a polynomial postnonlinear mixing model. A Bayesian algorithm and optimization methods are proposed to estimate the parameters involved in the model. The performance of the unmixing strategies is evaluated by simulations conducted on synthetic and real data.

  4. Sulforaphane improves oxidative status without attenuating the inflammatory response or cardiac impairment induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

    PubMed

    Bonetto, Jéssica Hellen Poletto; Fernandes, Rafael Oliveira; Seolin, Bruna Gazzi de Lima; Müller, Dalvana Daneliza; Teixeira, Rayane Brinck; Araujo, Alex Sander; Vassallo, Dalton; Schenkel, Paulo Cavalheiro; Belló-Klein, Adriane

    2016-05-01

    Sulforaphane, a natural isothiocyanate, demonstrates cardioprotection associated with its capacity to stimulate endogenous antioxidants and to inhibit inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether sulforaphane is capable of attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses through the TLR4/MyD88/NFκB pathway, and thereby could modulate post-ischemic ventricular function in isolated rat hearts submitted to ischemia and reperfusion. Male Wistar rats received sulforaphane (10 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)) or vehicle i.p. for 3 days. Global ischemia was performed using isolated hearts, 24 h after the last injection, by interruption of the perfusion flow. The protocol included a 20 min pre-ischemic period followed by 20 min of ischemia and a 20 min reperfusion. Although no changes in mechanical function were observed, sulforaphane induced a significant increase in superoxide dismutase and heme oxygenase-1 expression (both 66%) and significantly reduced reactive oxygen species levels (7%). No differences were observed for catalase and glutathione peroxidase expression or their activities, nor for thioredoxin reductase, glutaredoxin reductase and glutathione-S-transferase. No differences were found in lipid peroxidation or TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB expression. In conclusion, although sulforaphane was able to stimulate endogenous antioxidants modestly, this result did not impact inflammatory signaling or cardiac function of hearts submitted to ischemia and reperfusion.

  5. Lack of β, β-carotene -9’, 10’-oxygenase 2 leads to hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular oxidative stress in mice

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Lei; Guo, Xin; Hartson, Steven D.; Davis, Mary Abby; He, Hui; Medeiros, Denis M.; Wang, Weiqun; Clarke, Stephen L.; Lucas, Edralin; Smith, Brenda J.; von Lintig, Johannes; Lin, Dingbo

    2017-01-01

    Scope β,β-carotene-9’,10’-dioxygenase 2 (BCO2) is a carotenoid cleavage enzyme localized to the inner mitochondrial membrane in mammals. This study was aimed to assess the impact of genetic ablation of BCO2 on hepatic oxidative stress through mitochondrial function in mice. Methods and Results Liver samples from 6 week old male BCO2−/− knockout (KO) and isogenic wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to proteomics and functional activity assays. Compared to the WT, KO mice consumed more food (by 18 %) yet displayed significantly lower body weight (by 12 %). Mitochondrial proteomic results demonstrated that loss of BCO2 was associated with quantitative changes of the mitochondrial proteome mainly shown by suppressed expression of enzymes and/or proteins involved in fatty acid β–oxidation, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and the electron transport chain (ETC). The mitochondrial basal respiratory rate, proton leak, and ETC complex II capacity were significantly elevated in the livers of KO compared to WT mice. Moreover, elevated reactive oxygen species and increased mitochondrial protein carbonylation were also demonstrated in liver of KO mice. Conclusions Loss of BCO2 induces mitochondrial hyperactivation, mitochondrial stress and changes of the mitochondrial proteome, leading to mitochondrial energy insufficiency. BCO2 appears to be critical for proper hepatic mitochondrial function. PMID:27991717

  6. Rubisco Activases: AAA+ Chaperones Adapted to Enzyme Repair.

    PubMed

    Bhat, Javaid Y; Thieulin-Pardo, Gabriel; Hartl, F Ulrich; Hayer-Hartl, Manajit

    2017-01-01

    Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), the key enzyme of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle of photosynthesis, requires conformational repair by Rubisco activase for efficient function. Rubisco mediates the fixation of atmospheric CO 2 by catalyzing the carboxylation of the five-carbon sugar ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP). It is a remarkably inefficient enzyme, and efforts to increase crop yields by bioengineering Rubisco remain unsuccessful. This is due in part to the complex cellular machinery required for Rubisco biogenesis and metabolic maintenance. To function, Rubisco must undergo an activation process that involves carboxylation of an active site lysine by a non-substrate CO 2 molecule and binding of a Mg 2+ ion. Premature binding of the substrate RuBP results in an inactive enzyme. Moreover, Rubisco can also be inhibited by a range of sugar phosphates, some of which are "misfire" products of its multistep catalytic reaction. The release of the inhibitory sugar molecule is mediated by the AAA+ protein Rubisco activase (Rca), which couples hydrolysis of ATP to the structural remodeling of Rubisco. Rca enzymes are found in the vast majority of photosynthetic organisms, from bacteria to higher plants. They share a canonical AAA+ domain architecture and form six-membered ring complexes but are diverse in sequence and mechanism, suggesting their convergent evolution. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the structure and function of this important group of client-specific AAA+ proteins.

  7. Geometric multiaxial representation of N -qubit mixed symmetric separable states

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    SP, Suma; Sirsi, Swarnamala; Hegde, Subramanya; Bharath, Karthik

    2017-08-01

    The study of N -qubit mixed symmetric separable states is a longstanding challenging problem as no unique separability criterion exists. In this regard, we take up the N -qubit mixed symmetric separable states for a detailed study as these states are of experimental importance and offer an elegant mathematical analysis since the dimension of the Hilbert space is reduced from 2N to N +1 . Since there exists a one-to-one correspondence between the spin-j system and an N -qubit symmetric state, we employ Fano statistical tensor parameters for the parametrization of the spin-density matrix. Further, we use a geometric multiaxial representation (MAR) of the density matrix to characterize the mixed symmetric separable states. Since the separability problem is NP-hard, we choose to study it in the continuum limit where mixed symmetric separable states are characterized by the P -distribution function λ (θ ,ϕ ) . We show that the N -qubit mixed symmetric separable states can be visualized as a uniaxial system if the distribution function is independent of θ and ϕ . We further choose a distribution function to be the most general positive function on a sphere and observe that the statistical tensor parameters characterizing the N -qubit symmetric system are the expansion coefficients of the distribution function. As an example for the discrete case, we investigate the MAR of a uniformly weighted two-qubit mixed symmetric separable state. We also observe that there exists a correspondence between the separability and classicality of states.

  8. A Mixed-Method Exploration of Functioning in Safe Schools/Healthy Students Partnerships

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Merrill, Marina L.; Taylor, Nicole L.; Martin, Alison J.; Maxim, Lauren A.; D'Ambrosio, Ryan; Gabriel, Roy M.; Wendt, Staci J.; Mannix, Danyelle; Wells, Michael E.

    2012-01-01

    This paper presents a mixed-method approach to measuring the functioning of Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SS/HS) Initiative partnerships. The SS/HS national evaluation team developed a survey to collect partners' perceptions of functioning within SS/HS partnerships. Average partnership functioning scores were used to rank each site from lowest to…

  9. Biology of Symbioses between Marine Invertebrates and Intracellular Bacteria

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-01-30

    bisphosphate carboxylase We designed from published sequence information oligonucleotide primers which are complementary to conserved regions on RubisCO ...large and small subunit genes. These primers were used successfully to amplify using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specific regions of RubisCO ...for the large subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase ( RubisCO ) to symbiont DNA shows that the symbionts from both deep-sea and shallow

  10. Mutation assays involving blood cells that metabolize toxic substances

    DOEpatents

    Crespi, Charles L.; Thilly, William G.

    1999-01-01

    The present invention pertains to a line of human blood cells which have high levels of oxidative activity (such as oxygenase, oxidase, peroxidase, and hydroxylase activity). Such cells grow in suspension culture, and are useful to determine the mutagenicity of xenobiotic substances that are metabolized into toxic or mutagenic substances. The invention also includes mutation assays using these cells, and other cells with similar characteristics.

  11. Combined targeting of STAT3 and STAT5: a novel approach to overcome drug resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia.

    PubMed

    Gleixner, Karoline V; Schneeweiss, Mathias; Eisenwort, Gregor; Berger, Daniela; Herrmann, Harald; Blatt, Katharina; Greiner, Georg; Byrgazov, Konstantin; Hoermann, Gregor; Konopleva, Marina; Waliul, Islam; Cumaraswamy, Abbarna A; Gunning, Patrick T; Maeda, Hiroshi; Moriggl, Richard; Deininger, Michael; Lion, Thomas; Andreeff, Michael; Valent, Peter

    2017-09-01

    In chronic myeloid leukemia, resistance against BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors can develop because of BCR-ABL1 mutations, activation of additional pro-oncogenic pathways, and stem cell resistance. Drug combinations covering a broad range of targets may overcome resistance. CDDO-Me (bardoxolone methyl) is a drug that inhibits the survival of leukemic cells by targeting different pro-survival molecules, including STAT3. We found that CDDO-Me inhibits proliferation and survival of tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant BCR-ABL1 + cell lines and primary leukemic cells, including cells harboring BCR-ABL1 T315I or T315I + compound mutations. Furthermore, CDDO-Me was found to block growth and survival of CD34 + /CD38 - leukemic stem cells (LSC). Moreover, CDDO-Me was found to produce synergistic growth-inhibitory effects when combined with BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors. These drug-combinations were found to block multiple signaling cascades and molecules, including STAT3 and STAT5. Furthermore, combined targeting of STAT3 and STAT5 by shRNA and STAT5-targeting drugs also resulted in synergistic growth-inhibition, pointing to a new efficient concept of combinatorial STAT3 and STAT5 inhibition. However, CDDO-Me was also found to increase the expression of heme-oxygenase-1, a heat-shock-protein that triggers drug resistance and cell survival. We therefore combined CDDO-Me with the heme-oxygenase-1 inhibitor SMA-ZnPP, which also resulted in synergistic growth-inhibitory effects. Moreover, SMA-ZnPP was found to sensitize BCR-ABL1 + cells against the combination 'CDDO-Me+ tyrosine kinase inhibitor'. Together, combined targeting of STAT3, STAT5, and heme-oxygenase-1 overcomes resistance in BCR-ABL1 + cells, including stem cells and highly resistant sub-clones expressing BCR-ABL1 T315I or T315I-compound mutations. Whether such drug-combinations are effective in tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant patients with chronic myeloid leukemia remains to be elucidated. Copyright© 2017 Ferrata Storti Foundation.

  12. The Natural Compound Dansameum Reduces foam Cell Formation by Downregulating CD36 and Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-gamma; Expression

    PubMed Central

    Park, Kang-Seo; Ahn, Sang Hyun; Lee, Kang Pa; Park, Sun-Young; Cheon, Jin Hong; Choi, Jun-Yong; Kim, Kibong

    2017-01-01

    Background: Atherosclerosis-induced vascular disorders are major causes of death in most western countries. During the development of atherosclerotic lesions, foam cell formation is essential and formed through the expression of CD36 and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ). Objective: To investigate whether dansameum extract (DSE) could show anti-atherosclerotic effect through down-regulating cellular redox state including CD36 and PARP-γ expression in oxidative low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-treated RAW264.7 cells and on differentiated foam cells in ApoE Knockout (ApoE-/-) mice. Materials and Methods: The Korean polyherbal medicine DSE was prepared from three plants in the following proportions: 40 g of Salvia miltiorrhiza root, 4 g of Amomumxanthioides fruit, and 4 g of Santalum album lignum. The immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used for analysis of protein and mRNA involved in foam cell formation. Results: We first showed that effects of DSE on foam cell formation in both oxLDL-induced RAW264.7 cells and in blood vessels from apolipoprotein E deficientApoE-/- mice with high fat diet-fed. DSE treatment significantly reduced the expression of CD36 and PPAR-γ in oxLDL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and ApoE-/-mice, in the latter case by regulating heme oxygenase-1. Furthermore, DSE treatment also reduced cellular lipid content in vitro and in vivo experiments. Conclusion: Our data suggest that DSE may have anti-atherosclerotic properties through regulating foam cell formation. SUMMARY Dansameum extract (DSE) Regulates the expression of CD36 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in oxidative low-density lipoprotein-stimulated RAW264.7 Cells and ApoE Knockout (ApoE Knockout [ApoE-/-]) miceDSE Regulates Cholesterol Levels in the Serum of ApoE-deficient (ApoE-/-) miceDSE Reduced the Formation of Foam Cells by Regulating heme oxygenase-1 in ApoE-/- mice with high fat diet-fed. Abbreviations used: DSE: Dansameum extract, PPAR-γ: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, HO-1: Heme oxygenase-1, CVD: Cardiovascular diseases PMID:29491646

  13. The Natural Compound Dansameum Reduces foam Cell Formation by Downregulating CD36 and Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-gamma; Expression.

    PubMed

    Park, Kang-Seo; Ahn, Sang Hyun; Lee, Kang Pa; Park, Sun-Young; Cheon, Jin Hong; Choi, Jun-Yong; Kim, Kibong

    2018-01-01

    Atherosclerosis-induced vascular disorders are major causes of death in most western countries. During the development of atherosclerotic lesions, foam cell formation is essential and formed through the expression of CD36 and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ). To investigate whether dansameum extract (DSE) could show anti-atherosclerotic effect through down-regulating cellular redox state including CD36 and PARP-γ expression in oxidative low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-treated RAW264.7 cells and on differentiated foam cells in ApoE Knockout (ApoE-/-) mice. The Korean polyherbal medicine DSE was prepared from three plants in the following proportions: 40 g of Salvia miltiorrhiza root, 4 g of Amomumxanthioides fruit, and 4 g of Santalum album lignum. The immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used for analysis of protein and mRNA involved in foam cell formation. We first showed that effects of DSE on foam cell formation in both oxLDL-induced RAW264.7 cells and in blood vessels from apolipoprotein E deficientApoE-/- mice with high fat diet-fed. DSE treatment significantly reduced the expression of CD36 and PPAR-γ in oxLDL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and ApoE-/-mice, in the latter case by regulating heme oxygenase-1. Furthermore, DSE treatment also reduced cellular lipid content in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our data suggest that DSE may have anti-atherosclerotic properties through regulating foam cell formation. Dansameum extract (DSE) Regulates the expression of CD36 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in oxidative low-density lipoprotein-stimulated RAW264.7 Cells and ApoE Knockout (ApoE Knockout [ApoE-/-]) miceDSE Regulates Cholesterol Levels in the Serum of ApoE-deficient (ApoE-/-) miceDSE Reduced the Formation of Foam Cells by Regulating heme oxygenase-1 in ApoE-/- mice with high fat diet-fed. Abbreviations used: DSE: Dansameum extract, PPAR-γ: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, HO-1: Heme oxygenase-1, CVD: Cardiovascular diseases.

  14. EXPRESSION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FULL-LENGTH HUMAN HEME OXYGENASE-1: PRESENCE OF INTACT MEMBRANE-BINDING REGION LEADS TO INCREASED BINDING AFFINITY FOR NADPH-CYTOCHROME P450 REDUCTASE

    PubMed Central

    Huber, Warren J.; Backes, Wayne L.

    2009-01-01

    Heme oxygenase (HO) is the chief regulatory enzyme in the oxidative degradation of heme to biliverdin. In the process of heme degradation, this NADPH and cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR)-dependent oxidation of heme also releases free iron and carbon monoxide. Much of the recent research involving heme oxygenase is done using a 30-kDa soluble form of the enzyme, which lacks the membrane binding region (C-terminal 23 amino acids). The goal of this study was to express and purify a full-length human HO-1 (hHO-1) protein; however, due to the lability of the full-length form, a rapid purification procedure was required. This was accomplished by use of a GST-tagged hHO-1 construct. Although the procedure permitted the generation of a full-length HO-1, this form was contaminated with a 30-kDa degradation product that could not be eliminated. Therefore, we attempted to remove a putative secondary thrombin cleavage site by a conservative mutation of amino acid 254, which replaces lysine with arginine. This mutation allowed the expression and purification of a full length hHO-1 protein. Unlike wild-type HO-1, the K254R mutant could be purified to a single 32-kDa protein capable of degrading heme at the same rate as the wild-type enzyme. The K254R full-length form had a specific activity of ~200–225 nmol bilirubin hr−1nmol−1 HO-1 as compared to ~140–150 nmol bilirubin hr−1nmol−1 for the WT form, which contains the 30-kDa contaminant. This is a 2–3-fold increase from the previously reported soluble 30-kDa HO-1, suggesting that the C-terminal 23 amino acids are essential for maximal catalytic activity. Because the membrane spanning domain is present, the full-length hHO-1 has the potential to incorporate into phospholipid membranes, which can be reconstituted at known concentrations, in combination with other ER-resident enzymes. PMID:17915953

  15. Expression and characterization of full-length human heme oxygenase-1: the presence of intact membrane-binding region leads to increased binding affinity for NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase.

    PubMed

    Huber, Warren J; Backes, Wayne L

    2007-10-30

    Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is the chief regulatory enzyme in the oxidative degradation of heme to biliverdin. In the process of heme degradation, HO-1 receives the electrons necessary for catalysis from the flavoprotein NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR), releasing free iron and carbon monoxide. Much of the recent research involving heme oxygenase has been done using a 30 kDa soluble form of the enzyme, which lacks the membrane binding region (C-terminal 23 amino acids). The goal of this study was to express and purify a full-length human HO-1 (hHO-1) protein; however, due to the lability of the full-length form, a rapid purification procedure was required. This was accomplished by use of a glutathione-s-transferase (GST)-tagged hHO-1 construct. Although the procedure permitted the generation of a full-length HO-1, this form was contaminated with a 30 kDa degradation product that could not be eliminated. Therefore, attempts were made to remove a putative secondary thrombin cleavage site by a conservative mutation of amino acid 254, which replaces arginine with lysine. This mutation allowed the expression and purification of a full-length hHO-1 protein. Unlike wild type (WT) HO-1, the R254K mutant could be purified to a single 32 kDa protein capable of degrading heme at the same rate as the WT enzyme. The R254K full-length form had a specific activity of approximately 200-225 nmol of bilirubin h-1 nmol-1 HO-1 as compared to approximately 140-150 nmol of bilirubin h-1 nmol-1 for the WT form, which contains the 30 kDa contaminant. This is a 2-3-fold increase from the previously reported soluble 30 kDa HO-1, suggesting that the C-terminal 23 amino acids are essential for maximal catalytic activity. Because the membrane-spanning domain is present, the full-length hHO-1 has the potential to incorporate into phospholipid membranes, which can be reconstituted at known concentrations, in combination with other endoplasmic reticulum resident enzymes.

  16. Oxidative stress suppression by luteolin-induced heme oxygenase-1 expression

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

    Sun, Gui-bo; Sun, Xiao; Wang, Min

    Luteolin, a flavonoid that exhibits antioxidative properties, exerts myocardial protection effects. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet fully understood. To investigate the effects of luteolin on myocardial injury protection and its possible mechanisms, a myocardial injury model was established with intragastric administration of 4 mg/kg isoproterenol (ISO) to male Sprague–Dawley rats (200–220 g) daily for 2 days. We found that pretreatment of luteolin (160, 80 and 40 mg/kg, i.g., respectively) daily for 15 days can prevent ISO-induced myocardial damage, including decrease of serum cardiac enzymes, improvement electrocardiography and heart vacuolation. Luteolin also improved the free radical scavenging andmore » antioxidant potential, suggesting one possible mechanism of luteolin-induced cardio-protection is mediated by blocking the oxidative stress. To clarify the mechanisms, we performed the in vitro study by hydrogen peroxide (H{sub 2}O{sub 2})-induced cytotoxicty model in H9c2 cells. We found that luteolin pretreatment prevented apoptosis, increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and enhanced the binding of Nrf2 to the antioxidant response element, providing an adaptive survival response against H{sub 2}O{sub 2}-derived oxidative cytotoxicity. The addition of Znpp, a selective HO-1 competitive inhibitor, reduced the cytoprotective ability of luteolin, indicating the vital role of HO-1 on these effects. Luteolin also activated Akt and ERK, whereas the addition of LY294002 and U0126, the pharmacologic inhibitors of PI3K and ERK, attenuated luteolin-induced HO-1 expression and cytoprotective effect. Taken together, the above findings suggest that luteolin protects against myocardial injury and enhances cellular antioxidant defense capacity through the activation of Akt and ERK signal pathways that leads to Nrf2 activation, and subsequently HO-1 induction. -- Highlights: ► Luteolin prevents isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage. ► Luteolin enhances cellular antioxidant defense capacity. ► Luteolin increases the expression of heme oxygenase-1 protein levels. ► Luteolin activates Akt and ERK signal pathways.« less

  17. Collaboration Patterns as a Function of Article Genre among Mixed Researchers: A Mixed Methods Bibliometric Study

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jordan, John; Wachsmann, Melanie; Hoisington, Susan; Gonzalez, Vanessa; Valle, Rachel; Lambert, Jarod; Aleisa, Majed; Wilcox, Rachael; Benge, Cindy L.; Onwuegbuzie, Anthony J.

    2017-01-01

    Surprisingly, scant information exists regarding the collaboration patterns of mixed methods researchers. Thus, the purpose of this mixed methods bibliometric study was to examine (a) the distribution of the number of co-authors in articles published in the flagship mixed methods research journal (i.e., "Journal of Mixed Methods…

  18. Effects of heme oxygenase-1-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on microcirculation and energy metabolism following liver transplantation

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Liu; Shen, Zhong-Yang; Wang, Rao-Rao; Yin, Ming-Li; Zheng, Wei-Ping; Wu, Bin; Liu, Tao; Song, Hong-Li

    2017-01-01

    AIM To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) on the microcirculation and energy metabolism of hepatic sinusoids following reduced-size liver transplantation (RLT) in a rat model. METHODS BMMSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro using an adherent method, and then transduced with HO-1-bearing recombinant adenovirus to construct HO-1/BMMSCs. A rat acute rejection model following 50% RLT was established using a two-cuff technique. Recipients were divided into three groups based on the treatment received: normal saline (NS), BMMSCs and HO-1/BMMSCs. Liver function was examined at six time points. The levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS), nitric oxide (NO), and hyaluronic acid (HA) were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The portal vein pressure (PVP) was detected by Power Lab ML880. The expressions of ET-1, iNOS, eNOS, and von Willebrand factor (vWF) protein in the transplanted liver were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. ATPase in the transplanted liver was detected by chemical colorimetry, and the ultrastructural changes were observed under a transmission electron microscope. RESULTS HO-1/BMMSCs could alleviate the pathological changes and rejection activity index of the transplanted liver, and improve the liver function of rats following 50% RLT, with statistically significant differences compared with those of the NS group and BMMSCs group (P < 0.05). In term of the microcirculation of hepatic sinusoids: The PVP on POD7 decreased significantly in the HO-1/BMMSCs and BMMSCs groups compared with that of the NS group (P < 0.01); HO-1/BMMSCs could inhibit the expressions of ET-1 and iNOS, increase the expressions of eNOS and inhibit amounts of NO production, and maintain the equilibrium of ET-1/NO (P < 0.05); and HO-1/BMMSCs increased the expression of vWF in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs), and promoted the degradation of HA, compared with those of the NS group and BMMSCs group (P < 0.05). In term of the energy metabolism of the transplanted liver, HO-1/BMMSCs repaired the damaged mitochondria, and improved the activity of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (ASTm) and ATPase, compared with the other two groups (P <0.05). CONCLUSION HO-1/BMMSCs can improve the microcirculation of hepatic sinusoids significantly, and recover the energy metabolism of damaged hepatocytes in rats following RLT, thus protecting the transplanted liver. PMID:28596681

  19. Cloning, Expression, and Nucleotide Sequence of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa 142 ohb Genes Coding for Oxygenolytic ortho Dehalogenation of Halobenzoates

    PubMed Central

    Tsoi, Tamara V.; Plotnikova, Elena G.; Cole, James R.; Guerin, William F.; Bagdasarian, Michael; Tiedje, James M.

    1999-01-01

    We have cloned and characterized novel oxygenolytic ortho-dehalogenation (ohb) genes from 2-chlorobenzoate (2-CBA)- and 2,4-dichlorobenzoate (2,4-dCBA)-degrading Pseudomonas aeruginosa 142. Among 3,700 Escherichia coli recombinants, two clones, DH5αF′(pOD22) and DH5αF′(pOD33), converted 2-CBA to catechol and 2,4-dCBA and 2,5-dCBA to 4-chlorocatechol. A subclone of pOD33, plasmid pE43, containing the 3,687-bp minimized ohb DNA region conferred to P. putida PB2440 the ability to grow on 2-CBA as a sole carbon source. Strain PB2440(pE43) also oxidized but did not grow on 2,4-dCBA, 2,5-dCBA, or 2,6-dCBA. Terminal oxidoreductase ISPOHB structural genes ohbA and ohbB, which encode polypeptides with molecular masses of 20,253 Da (β-ISP) and 48,243 Da (α-ISP), respectively, were identified; these proteins are in accord with the 22- and 48-kDa (as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) polypeptides synthesized in E. coli and P. aeruginosa parental strain 142. The ortho-halobenzoate 1,2-dioxygenase activity was manifested in the absence of ferredoxin and reductase genes, suggesting that the ISPOHB utilized electron transfer components provided by the heterologous hosts. ISPOHB formed a new phylogenetic cluster that includes aromatic oxygenases featuring atypical structural-functional organization and is distant from the other members of the family of primary aromatic oxygenases. A putative IclR-type regulatory gene (ohbR) was located upstream of the ohbAB genes. An open reading frame (ohbC) of unknown function that overlaps lengthwise with ohbB but is transcribed in the opposite direction was found. The ohbC gene codes for a 48,969-Da polypeptide, in accord with the 49-kDa protein detected in E. coli. The ohb genes are flanked by an IS1396-like sequence containing a putative gene for a 39,715-Da transposase A (tnpA) at positions 4731 to 5747 and a putative gene for a 45,247-Da DNA topoisomerase I/III (top) at positions 346 to 1563. The ohb DNA region is bordered by 14-bp imperfect inverted repeats at positions 56 to 69 and 5984 to 5997. PMID:10224014

  20. A novel mixed phospholipid functionalized monolithic column for early screening of drug induced phospholipidosis risk.

    PubMed

    Zhao, XiangLong; Chen, WeiJia; Liu, ZhengHua; Guo, JiaLiang; Zhou, ZhengYin; Crommen, Jacques; Moaddel, Ruin; Jiang, ZhengJin

    2014-11-07

    Drug-induced phospholipidosis (PLD) is characterized by the excessive accumulation of phospholipids, resulting in multilamellar vesicle structure within lysosomes. In the present study, a novel mixed phospholipid functionalized monolithic column was developed for the first time through a facile one-step co-polymerization approach. The phospholipid composition of the monolith can be adjusted quantitatively and accurately to mimic the mixed phospholipid environment of different biomembranes on a solid matrix. The mixed phospholipid functionalized monolith as a promising immobilized artificial membrane technique was used to study drug-phospholipid interaction. Scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, FT-IR spectra, ζ-potential analysis and micro-HPLC were carried out to characterize the physicochemical properties and separation performance of the monolith. Mechanism studies revealed that both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions play an important role in the retention of analytes. The ratio of their contributions to retention can be easily manipulated by adjusting the composition of the mixed phospholipids, in order to better mimic the interaction between drugs and cell membrane. The obtained mixed phospholipid functionalized monolithic columns were applied to the screening of drug-induced PLD potency. Data from 79 drugs on the market demonstrated that the chromatographic hydrophobicity index referring to the mixed phospholipid functionalized monolith at pH 7.4 (CHI IAM7.4) for the selected drugs were highly correlated with the drug-induced PLD potency data obtained from other in vivo or in vitro assays. Moreover, the effect of the acidic phospholipid phosphatidylserine proportion on prediction accuracy was also investigated. The monolith containing 20% phosphatidylserine and 80% phosphatidylcholine exhibited the best prediction ability for the drug-induced PLD potency of the tested compounds. This research has led to the successful development of a novel and facile approach to prepare a mixed phospholipids functionalized monolith, which offers a reliable, cost-effective and high-throughput screening tool for early prediction of the PLD potency of drug candidates. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Genotype differences in anxiety and fear learning and memory of WT and ApoE4 mice associated with enhanced generation of hippocampal reactive oxygen species.

    PubMed

    Villasana, Laura E; Weber, Sydney; Akinyeke, Tunde; Raber, Jacob

    2016-09-01

    Apolipoprotein E (apoE), involved in cholesterol and lipid metabolism, also influences cognitive function and injury repair. In humans, apoE is expressed in three isoforms. E4 is a risk factor for age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease, particularly in women. E4 might also be a risk factor for developing behavioral and cognitive changes following (56) Fe irradiation, a component of the space environment astronauts are exposed to during missions. These changes might be related to enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we compared the behavioral and cognitive performance of sham-irradiated and irradiated wild-type (WT) mice and mice expressing the human E3 or E4 isoforms, and assessed the generation of ROS in hippocampal slices from these mice. E4 mice had greater anxiety-like and conditioned fear behaviors than WT mice, and these genotype differences were associated with greater levels of ROS in E4 than WT mice. The greater generation of ROS in the hippocampus of E4 than WT mice might contribute to their higher anxiety levels and enhanced fear conditioning. In E4, but not WT, mice, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-treated hippocampal slices showed more dihydroxy ethidium oxidation in sham-irradiated than irradiated mice and hippocampal heme oxygenase-1 levels were higher in irradiated than sham-irradiated E4 mice. Mice with apolipoprotein E4 (E4), a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, have greater anxiety-like and conditioned fear behaviors than wild-type (WT) mice. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS, in red) 3 months following (56) Fe irradiation, a component of the space environment astronauts are exposed to, is more pronounced in the hippocampus of E4 than WT mice. In E4, but not WT, mice, hippocampal levels of the oxidative stress-relevant marker heme oxygenase-1 are higher in irradiated than sham-irradiated E4 mice. © 2016 International Society for Neurochemistry.

  2. Plasma bilirubin values on admission and ventricular remodeling after a first anterior ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Miranda, Berta; Barrabés, José A; Figueras, Jaume; Pineda, Victor; Rodríguez-Palomares, José; Lidón, Rosa-Maria; Sambola, Antonia; Bañeras, Jordi; Otaegui, Imanol; García-Dorado, David

    2016-01-01

    Bilirubin may elicit cardiovascular protection and heme oxygenase-1 overexpression attenuated post-infarction ventricular remodeling in experimental animals, but the association between bilirubin levels and post-infarction remodeling is unknown. In 145 patients with a first anterior ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), we assessed whether plasma bilirubin on admission predicted adverse remodeling (left ventricular end-diastolic volume [LVEDV] increase ≥20% between discharge and 6 months, estimated by magnetic resonance imaging). Patients' baseline characteristics and management were comparable among bilirubin tertiles. LVEDV increased at 6 months (P < 0.001) with respect to the initial exam, but the magnitude of this increase was similar across increasing bilirubin tertiles (10.8 [30.2], 10.1 [22.9], and 12.7 [24.3]%, P = 0.500). Median (25-75 percentile) bilirubin values in patients with and without adverse remodeling were 0.75 (0.60-0.93) and 0.73 (0.60-0.92) mg/dL (P = 0.693). Absence of final TIMI flow grade 3 (odds ratio 3.92, 95% CI 1.12-13.66) and a history of hypertension (2.04, 0.93-4.50), but not admission bilirubin, were independently associated with adverse remodeling. Bilirubin also did not predict the increase in ejection fraction at 6 months. Admission bilirubin values are not related to LVEDV or ejection fraction progression after a first anterior STEMI and do not predict adverse ventricular remodeling. Key messages Bilirubin levels are inversely related to cardiovascular disease, and overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 (the enzyme that determines bilirubin production) has prevented post-infarction ventricular remodeling in experimental animals, but the association between bilirubin levels and the progression of ventricular volumes and function in patients with acute myocardial infarction remained unexplored. In this cohort of patients with a first acute anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction receiving contemporary management, bilirubin levels on admission were not predictive of the changes in left ventricular volumes or ejection fraction at 6 months measured by serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The data are contrary to a significant protective effect of bilirubin against post-infarction ventricular remodeling.

  3. Structural and functional similarities between a ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO)-like protein from Bacillus subtilis and photosynthetic RuBisCO.

    PubMed

    Saito, Yohtaro; Ashida, Hiroki; Sakiyama, Tomoko; de Marsac, Nicole Tandeau; Danchin, Antoine; Sekowska, Agnieszka; Yokota, Akiho

    2009-05-08

    The sequences classified as genes for various ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO)-like proteins (RLPs) are widely distributed among bacteria, archaea, and eukaryota. In the phylogenic tree constructed with these sequences, RuBisCOs and RLPs are grouped into four separate clades, forms I-IV. In RuBisCO enzymes encoded by form I, II, and III sequences, 19 conserved amino acid residues are essential for CO(2) fixation; however, 1-11 of these 19 residues are substituted with other amino acids in form IV RLPs. Among form IV RLPs, the only enzymatic activity detected to date is a 2,3-diketo-5-methylthiopentyl 1-phosphate (DK-MTP-1-P) enolase reaction catalyzed by Bacillus subtilis, Microcystis aeruginosa, and Geobacillus kaustophilus form IV RLPs. RLPs from Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Chlorobium tepidum, and Bordetella bronchiseptica were inactive in the enolase reaction. DK-MTP-1-P enolase activity of B. subtilis RLP required Mg(2+) for catalysis and, like RuBisCO, was stimulated by CO(2). Four residues that are essential for the enolization reaction of RuBisCO, Lys(175), Lys(201), Asp(203), and Glu(204), were conserved in RLPs and were essential for DK-MTP-1-P enolase catalysis. Lys(123), the residue conserved in DK-MTP-1-P enolases, was also essential for B. subtilis RLP enolase activity. Similarities between the active site structures of RuBisCO and B. subtilis RLP were examined by analyzing the effects of structural analogs of RuBP on DK-MTP-1-P enolase activity. A transition state analog for the RuBP carboxylation of RuBisCO was a competitive inhibitor in the DK-MTP-1-P enolase reaction with a K(i) value of 103 mum. RuBP and d-phosphoglyceric acid, the substrate and product, respectively, of RuBisCO, were weaker competitive inhibitors. These results suggest that the amino acid residues utilized in the B. subtilis RLP enolase reaction are the same as those utilized in the RuBisCO RuBP enolization reaction.

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

    Muhsain, Siti Nur Fadzilah, E-mail: sitinurfadzilah077@ppinang.uitm.edu.my; Faculty of Pharmacy, University Teknologi Mara; Lang, Matti A., E-mail: m.lang@uq.edu.au

    The intracellular level of bilirubin (BR), an endogenous antioxidant that is cytotoxic at high concentrations, is tightly controlled within the optimal therapeutic range. We have recently described a concerted intracellular BR regulation by two microsomal enzymes: heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), essential for BR production and cytochrome P450 2A5 (CYP2A5), a BR oxidase. Herein, we describe targeting of these enzymes to hepatic mitochondria during oxidative stress. The kinetics of microsomal and mitochondrial BR oxidation were compared. Treatment of DBA/2J mice with 200 mg pyrazole/kg/day for 3 days increased hepatic intracellular protein carbonyl content and induced nucleo-translocation of Nrf2. HMOX1 and CYP2A5more » proteins and activities were elevated in microsomes and mitoplasts but not the UGT1A1, a catalyst of BR glucuronidation. A CYP2A5 antibody inhibited 75% of microsomal BR oxidation. The inhibition was absent in control mitoplasts but elevated to 50% after treatment. An adrenodoxin reductase antibody did not inhibit microsomal BR oxidation but inhibited 50% of mitochondrial BR oxidation. Ascorbic acid inhibited 5% and 22% of the reaction in control and treated microsomes, respectively. In control mitoplasts the inhibition was 100%, which was reduced to 50% after treatment. Bilirubin affinity to mitochondrial and microsomal CYP2A5 enzyme is equally high. Lastly, the treatment neither released cytochrome c into cytoplasm nor dissipated membrane potential, indicating the absence of mitochondrial membrane damage. Collectively, the observations suggest that BR regulatory enzymes are recruited to mitochondria during oxidative stress and BR oxidation by mitochondrial CYP2A5 is supported by mitochondrial mono-oxygenase system. The induced recruitment potentially confers membrane protection. - Highlights: • Pyrazole induces oxidative stress in the mouse liver. • Pyrazole-induced oxidative stress induces mitochondrial targeting of key bilirubin regulatory enzymes, HMOX1, BVR and CYP2A5. • Mitochondrial cytochrome P450 2A5 (CYP2A5) can function as bilirubin oxidase. • Mitochondrial targeting of the key microsomal enzymes is not associated with mitochondrial membrane disruption.« less

  5. The gaseous messenger carbon monoxide is released from the eye into the ophthalmic venous blood depending on the intensity of sunlight.

    PubMed

    Koziorowski, M; Stefańczyk-Krzymowska, S; Tabecka-Lonczyńska, A; Gilun, P; Kamiński, M

    2012-01-01

    Circadian and seasonal rhythms in daylight affect many physiological processes. In the eye, energy of intense visible light not only initiates a well-studied neural reaction in the retina that modulates the secretory function of the hypothalamus and pineal gland, but also activates the heme oxygenase (HO) to produce carbon monoxide (CO). This study was designed to determine whether the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) in the ophthalmic venous blood changes depending on the phase of the day and differing extremely light intensity seasons: summer and winter. The concentration of CO in the venous blood flowing out from the nasal cavity, where heme oxygenase (HO) is expressed, but no photoreceptors, was used as a control. Sixteen mature males of a wild boar and pig crossbreed were used for this study. Samples of ophthalmic and nasal venous blood and systemic arterial and venous blood were collected repeatedly for two consecutive days during the longest days of the summer and the shortest days of the winter. The concentrations of CO in blood samples was measured using a standard addition method. During the longest days of the summer the concentration of CO in ophthalmic venous blood averaged 3.32 ± 0.71 and 3.43 ± 0.8 nmol/ml in the morning and afternoon, respectively, and was significantly higher than in the night averaging 0.89 ± 0.12 nmol/ml (p<0.001). During the shortest day of the winter CO concentration in ophthalmic venous blood was 1.11 ± 0.10 and 1.13 ± 0.14 nmol/ml during the light and nocturnal phase, respectively, and did not differ between phases, but was lower than in the light phase of the summer (p<0.01). The CO concentration in the control nasal venous blood did not differ between seasons and day phases and was lower than in ophthalmic venous blood during the summer (p<0.01) and winter (p<0.05). The results indicate that the gaseous messenger carbon monoxide is released from the eye into the ophthalmic venous blood depending on the intensity of sunlight.

  6. Spectroscopic studies reveal that the heme regulatory motifs of heme oxygenase-2 are dynamically disordered and exhibit redox-dependent interaction with heme

    DOE PAGES

    Bagai, Ireena; Sarangi, Ritimukta; Fleischhacker, Angela S.; ...

    2015-05-05

    Heme oxygenase (HO) catalyzes a key step in heme homeostasis: the O₂₋ and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase-dependent conversion of heme to biliverdin, Fe, and CO through a process in which the heme participates both as a prosthetic group and as a substrate. Mammals contain two isoforms of this enzyme, HO2 and HO1, which share the same α-helical fold forming the catalytic core and heme binding site, as well as a membrane spanning helix at their C-termini. However, unlike HO1, HO2 has an additional 30-residue N-terminus as well as two cysteine-proline sequences near the C-terminus that reside in heme regulatory motifs (HRMs).more » While the role of the additional N-terminal residues of HO2 is not yet understood, the HRMs have been proposed to reversibly form a thiol/disulfide redox switch that modulates the affinity of HO2 for ferric heme as a function of cellular redox poise. To further define the roles of the N- and C-terminal regions unique to HO2, we used multiple spectroscopic techniques to characterize these regions of the human HO2. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic experiments with HO2 demonstrate that, when the HRMs are in the oxidized state (HO2 O), both the extra N-terminal and the C-terminal HRM-containing regions are disordered. However, protein NMR experiments illustrate that, under reducing conditions, the C-terminal region gains some structure as the Cys residues in the HRMs undergo reduction (HO2 R) and, in experiments employing a diamagnetic protoporphyrin, suggest a redox-dependent interaction between the core and the HRM domains. Further, electron nuclear double resonance and X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies demonstrate that, upon reduction of the HRMs to the sulfhydryl form, a cysteine residue from the HRM region ligates to a ferric heme. Taken together with EPR measurements, which show the appearance of a new low-spin heme signal in reduced HO2, it appears that a cysteine residue(s) in the HRMs directly interacts with a second bound heme.« less

  7. Spectroscopic studies reveal that the heme regulatory motifs of heme oxygenase-2 are dynamically disordered and exhibit redox-dependent interaction with heme

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

    Bagai, Ireena; Sarangi, Ritimukta; Fleischhacker, Angela S.

    Heme oxygenase (HO) catalyzes a key step in heme homeostasis: the O₂₋ and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase-dependent conversion of heme to biliverdin, Fe, and CO through a process in which the heme participates both as a prosthetic group and as a substrate. Mammals contain two isoforms of this enzyme, HO2 and HO1, which share the same α-helical fold forming the catalytic core and heme binding site, as well as a membrane spanning helix at their C-termini. However, unlike HO1, HO2 has an additional 30-residue N-terminus as well as two cysteine-proline sequences near the C-terminus that reside in heme regulatory motifs (HRMs).more » While the role of the additional N-terminal residues of HO2 is not yet understood, the HRMs have been proposed to reversibly form a thiol/disulfide redox switch that modulates the affinity of HO2 for ferric heme as a function of cellular redox poise. To further define the roles of the N- and C-terminal regions unique to HO2, we used multiple spectroscopic techniques to characterize these regions of the human HO2. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic experiments with HO2 demonstrate that, when the HRMs are in the oxidized state (HO2 O), both the extra N-terminal and the C-terminal HRM-containing regions are disordered. However, protein NMR experiments illustrate that, under reducing conditions, the C-terminal region gains some structure as the Cys residues in the HRMs undergo reduction (HO2 R) and, in experiments employing a diamagnetic protoporphyrin, suggest a redox-dependent interaction between the core and the HRM domains. Further, electron nuclear double resonance and X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies demonstrate that, upon reduction of the HRMs to the sulfhydryl form, a cysteine residue from the HRM region ligates to a ferric heme. Taken together with EPR measurements, which show the appearance of a new low-spin heme signal in reduced HO2, it appears that a cysteine residue(s) in the HRMs directly interacts with a second bound heme.« less

  8. Functional Layer-by-Layer Thin Films of Inducible Nitric Oxide (NO) Synthase Oxygenase and Polyethylenimine: Modulation of Enzyme Loading and NO-Release Activity.

    PubMed

    Gunasekera, Bhagya; Abou Diwan, Charbel; Altawallbeh, Ghaith; Kalil, Haitham; Maher, Shaimaa; Xu, Song; Bayachou, Mekki

    2018-03-07

    Nitric oxide (NO) release counteracts platelet aggregation and prevents the thrombosis cascade in the inner walls of blood vessels. NO-release coatings also prevent thrombus formation on the surface of blood-contacting medical devices. Our previous work has shown that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) films release NO fluxes upon enzymatic conversion of the substrate l-arginine. In this work, we report on the modulation of enzyme loading in layer-by-layer (LbL) thin films of inducible nitric oxide synthase oxygenase (iNOSoxy) on polyethylenimine (PEI). The layer of iNOSoxy is electrostatically adsorbed onto the PEI layer. The pH of the iNOSoxy solution affects the amount of enzyme adsorbed. The overall negative surface charge of iNOSoxy in solution depends on the pH and hence determines the density of adsorbed protein on the positively charged PEI layer. We used buffered iNOSoxy solutions adjusted to pHs 8.6 and 7.0, while saline PEI solution was used at pH 7.0. Atomic force microscopy imaging of the outermost layer shows higher protein adsorption with iNOSoxy at pH 8.6 than with a solution of iNOSoxy at pH 7.0. Graphite electrodes with PEI/iNOSoxy films show higher catalytic currents for nitric oxide reduction mediated by iNOSoxy. The higher enzyme loading translates into higher NO flux when the enzyme-modified surface is exposed to a solution containing the substrate and a source of electrons. Spectrophotometric assays showed higher NO fluxes with iNOSoxy/PEI films built at pH 8.6 than with films built at pH 7.0. Fourier transform infrared analysis of iNOSoxy adsorbed on PEI at pH 8.6 and 7.0 shows structural differences of iNOSoxy in films, which explains the observed changes in enzymatic activity. Our findings show that pH provides a strategy to optimize the NOS loading and enzyme activity in NOS-based LbL thin films, which enables improved NO release with minimum layers of PEI/NOS.

  9. Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of celecoxib: a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor.

    PubMed

    Davies, N M; McLachlan, A J; Day, R O; Williams, K M

    2000-03-01

    Celecoxib, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is the first specific inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) approved to treat patients with rheumatism and osteoarthritis. Preliminary data suggest that celecoxib also has analgesic and anticancer properties. The selective inhibition of COX-2 is thought to lead to a reduction in the unwanted effects of NSAIDs. Upper gastrointestinal complication rates in clinical trials are significantly lower for celecoxib than for traditional nonselective NSAIDs (e.g. naproxen, ibuprofen and diclofenac). The rate of absorption of celexocib is moderate when given orally (peak plasma drug concentration occurs after 2 to 4 hours), although the extent of absorption is not known. Celexocib is extensively protein bound, primarily to plasma albumin, and has an apparent volume of distribution of 455+/-166L in humans. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of celecoxib increases in proportion to increasing oral doses between 100 and 800mg. Celecoxib is eliminated following biotransformation to carboxylic acid and glucuronide metabolites that are excreted in urine and faeces, with little drug (2%) being eliminated unchanged in the urine. Celecoxib is metabolised primarily by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 isoenzyme and has an elimination half-life of about 11 hours in healthy individuals. Racial differences in drug disposition and pharmacokinetic changes in the elderly have been reported for celecoxib. Plasma concentrations (AUC) of celecoxib appear to be 43% lower in patients with chronic renal insufficiency [glomerular filtration rate 2.1 to 3.6 L/h (35 to 60 ml/min)] compared with individuals with healthy renal function, with a 47% increase in apparent clearance. Compared with healthy controls, it has been reported that the steady-state AUC is increased by approximately 40% and 180% in patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment, respectively. Celecoxib does not appear to interact with warfarin, ketoconazole or methotrexate; however, clinically significant drug interactions with fluconazole and lithium have been documented. As celecoxib is metabolised by CYP2C9, increased clinical vigilance is required during the coadministration of other substrates or inhibitors of this enzyme.

  10. Postadsorption Work Function Tuning via Hydrogen Pressure Control

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    The work function of metal substrates can be easily tuned, for instance, by adsorbing layers of molecular electron donors and acceptors. In this work, we discuss the possibility of changing the donor/acceptor mixing ratio reversibly after adsorption by choosing a donor/acceptor pair that is coupled via a redox reaction and that is in equilibrium with a surrounding gas phase. We discuss such a situation for the example of tetrafluoro-1,4-benzenediol (TFBD)/tetrafluoro-1,4-benzoquinone (TFBQ), adsorbed on Cu(111) and Ag(111) surfaces. We use density functional theory and ab initio thermodynamics to show that arbitrary TFBD/TFBQ mixing ratios can be set using hydrogen pressures attainable in low to ultrahigh vacuum. Adjusting the mixing ratio allows modifying the work function over a range of about 1 eV. Finally, we contrast single-species submonolayers with mixed layers to discuss why the resulting inhomogeneities in the electrostatic energy above the surface have different impacts on the interfacial level alignment and the work function. PMID:26692915

  11. Power and limitation of soil properties as predictors of rangeland health and ecosystem functioning in a Northern mixed-grass prairie[Abstract

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Soil properties are thought to affect rangeland ecosystem functioning (e.g. primary productivity, hydrology), and thus soil variables that are consistently correlated with key ecosystem functions may be general indicators of rangeland health. We summarize results from several studies in mixed-grass...

  12. Functional mixed effects spectral analysis

    PubMed Central

    KRAFTY, ROBERT T.; HALL, MARTICA; GUO, WENSHENG

    2011-01-01

    SUMMARY In many experiments, time series data can be collected from multiple units and multiple time series segments can be collected from the same unit. This article introduces a mixed effects Cramér spectral representation which can be used to model the effects of design covariates on the second-order power spectrum while accounting for potential correlations among the time series segments collected from the same unit. The transfer function is composed of a deterministic component to account for the population-average effects and a random component to account for the unit-specific deviations. The resulting log-spectrum has a functional mixed effects representation where both the fixed effects and random effects are functions in the frequency domain. It is shown that, when the replicate-specific spectra are smooth, the log-periodograms converge to a functional mixed effects model. A data-driven iterative estimation procedure is offered for the periodic smoothing spline estimation of the fixed effects, penalized estimation of the functional covariance of the random effects, and unit-specific random effects prediction via the best linear unbiased predictor. PMID:26855437

  13. [Primary branch size of Pinus koraiensis plantation: a prediction based on linear mixed effect model].

    PubMed

    Dong, Ling-Bo; Liu, Zhao-Gang; Li, Feng-Ri; Jiang, Li-Chun

    2013-09-01

    By using the branch analysis data of 955 standard branches from 60 sampled trees in 12 sampling plots of Pinus koraiensis plantation in Mengjiagang Forest Farm in Heilongjiang Province of Northeast China, and based on the linear mixed-effect model theory and methods, the models for predicting branch variables, including primary branch diameter, length, and angle, were developed. Considering tree effect, the MIXED module of SAS software was used to fit the prediction models. The results indicated that the fitting precision of the models could be improved by choosing appropriate random-effect parameters and variance-covariance structure. Then, the correlation structures including complex symmetry structure (CS), first-order autoregressive structure [AR(1)], and first-order autoregressive and moving average structure [ARMA(1,1)] were added to the optimal branch size mixed-effect model. The AR(1) improved the fitting precision of branch diameter and length mixed-effect model significantly, but all the three structures didn't improve the precision of branch angle mixed-effect model. In order to describe the heteroscedasticity during building mixed-effect model, the CF1 and CF2 functions were added to the branch mixed-effect model. CF1 function improved the fitting effect of branch angle mixed model significantly, whereas CF2 function improved the fitting effect of branch diameter and length mixed model significantly. Model validation confirmed that the mixed-effect model could improve the precision of prediction, as compare to the traditional regression model for the branch size prediction of Pinus koraiensis plantation.

  14. Mutation assays involving blood cells that metabolize toxic substances

    DOEpatents

    Crespi, C.L.; Thilly, W.G.

    1999-08-10

    The present invention pertains to a line of human blood cells which have high levels of oxidative activity (such as oxygenase, oxidase, peroxidase, and hydroxylase activity). Such cells grow in suspension culture, and are useful to determine the mutagenicity of xenobiotic substances that are metabolized into toxic or mutagenic substances. The invention also includes mutation assays using these cells, and other cells with similar characteristics. 3 figs.

  15. Bioenergetic Approaches and Inflammation of MPTP Toxicity

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-09-01

    out a large number of studies, which showed that there were indeed significant protective effects. In particular, we were able to show that CoQ ...the Nrf2/ARE pathway. We demonstrated that these compounds can induce antioxidant enzymes in normal fibroblasts, however, the ability to induce thee...2 enzymes glutathione·c transferase, NADPH quinone oxidoreductase and heme·oxygenase was blocked in fibroblasts knocked out for Nrf2/ARE. We

  16. Cytoprotection of Human Endothelial Cells Against Oxidative Stress by 1-[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole (CDDO-Im): Application of Systems Biology to Understand the Mechanism of Action

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-04-03

    and exogenous oxidants, electrophiles , and toxicants. Activation of this pathway was reported to facilitate the induction of HMOX1 (Heiss et al., 2009...cytoprotective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and fluorinated derivatives: effects on heme oxygenase-1 induction and antioxidant

  17. In Vitro Effects of Serotonin, Melatonin, and Other Related Indole Compounds on Amyloid-β Kinetics and Neuroprotection.

    PubMed

    Hornedo-Ortega, Ruth; Da Costa, Grégory; Cerezo, Ana B; Troncoso, Ana M; Richard, Tristan; Garcia-Parrilla, M Carmen

    2018-02-01

    Amyloid-β peptide is the main component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease. The inhibition of amyloid-β peptide assembly, the destabilization of amyloid-β peptide aggregates, and the decrease of its cytotoxicity for the prevention of neuronal death are considered neuroprotective effects. In this work, the protective effects against amyloid-β peptide aggregation and cytotoxicity of eight indolic compounds are evaluated: tryptophan, tryptamine, serotonin, tryptophol, N-acetylserotonin, 3-indoleacetic acid, tryptophan ethyl ester, and melatonin. Thioflavin T spectroscopic assay, transmission electron microscopy, western blotting, circular dichroism, NMR, cell viability (thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay), quantitative PCR, and heme oxygenase activity are used. Serotonin is the most effective compound for inhibiting amyloid-β peptide aggregation. Almost all the indolic compounds tested prevent amyloid-β peptide-induced and increase cell viability, being between 9 and 25%. Melatonin and serotonin are the most active. Moreover, serotonin increased the expression of SIRT-1 and 2, heat shock protein 70, and heme oxygenase activity, this being a possible mechanism underlying the observed neuroprotective effect. Melatonin and other related indolic compounds, mainly serotonin, show an inhibitory and destabilizing effect on amyloid-β peptide fibril formation and they possess neuroprotective properties related to the vitagenes system. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  18. 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

  19. Microbial synthesis of propane by engineering valine pathway and aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Lei; Liang, Yajing; Wu, Wei; Tan, Xiaoming; Lu, Xuefeng

    2016-01-01

    Propane, a major component of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) derived from fossil fuels, has widespread applications in vehicles, cooking, and ambient heating. Given the concerns about fossil fuel depletion and carbon emission, exploiting alternative and renewable source of propane have become attractive. In this study, we report the construction of a novel propane biosynthetic pathway in Escherichia coli. We constructed an aldehyde reductases (ALR)-deprived E. coli strain BW25113(DE3) Δ13 via genetic engineering, which produced sufficient isobutyraldehyde precursors and finally achieved de novo synthesis of propane (91 μg/L) by assembling the engineered valine pathway and cyanobacterial aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase (ADO). Additionally, after extensive screening of ADO mutants generated by engineering the active center to accommodate branched-chain isobutyraldehyde, we identified two ADO mutants (I127G, I127G/A48G) which exhibited higher catalytic activity for isobutyraldehyde and improved propane productivity by three times (267 μg/L). The propane biosynthetic pathway constructed here through the engineered valine pathway can produce abundant isobutyraldehyde for ADO and overcome the low availability of precursors in propane production. Furthermore, the rational design aiming at the ADO active center illustrates the plasticity and catalytic potential of ADO. These results together highlight the potential for developing a microbial biomanufacturing platform for propane.

  20. Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction and Organic Nitrate Therapy: Beneficial Effects on Endothelial Dysfunction, Nitrate Tolerance, and Vascular Oxidative Stress

    PubMed Central

    Daiber, Andreas; Oelze, Matthias; Wenzel, Philip; Bollmann, Franziska; Pautz, Andrea; Kleinert, Hartmut

    2012-01-01

    Organic nitrates are a group of very effective anti-ischemic drugs. They are used for the treatment of patients with stable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and chronic congestive heart failure. A major therapeutic limitation inherent to organic nitrates is the development of tolerance, which occurs during chronic treatment with these agents, and this phenomenon is largely based on induction of oxidative stress with subsequent endothelial dysfunction. We therefore speculated that induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) could be an efficient strategy to overcome nitrate tolerance and the associated side effects. Indeed, we found that hemin cotreatment prevented the development of nitrate tolerance and vascular oxidative stress in response to chronic nitroglycerin therapy. Vice versa, pentaerithrityl tetranitrate (PETN), a nitrate that was previously reported to be devoid of adverse side effects, displayed tolerance and oxidative stress when the HO-1 pathway was blocked pharmacologically or genetically by using HO-1+/– mice. Recently, we identified activation of Nrf2 and HuR as a principle mechanism of HO-1 induction by PETN. With the present paper, we present and discuss our recent and previous findings on the role of HO-1 for the prevention of nitroglycerin-induced nitrate tolerance and for the beneficial effects of PETN therapy. PMID:22506100

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