Characterization of free radical defense system in high glucose cultured HeLa-tat cells: consequences for glucose-induced cytotoxicity

HeLa cell line stably transfected with the tat gene from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 has a decreased antioxidant potential. In this work, we used this model to investigate the effect of a high glucose level (20 mM) on the glucose induced cytotoxicity and on the antioxidant system. In comparison to cell culture under control medium, HeLa-wild cell cultured under 20 mM glucose did not exhibit necrosis or apoptosis, contrary to HeLa-tat cell presenting a significant increase in necrotic or apoptotic state. Moreover after 48 h culture under high glucose level the HeLa-tat proliferation rate was not higher than the one of HeLa-wild cells. In HeLa-wild cell high glucose level resulted in an induction of glutathione reductase activity in opposition to HeLa-tat cells where no change was observed. High glucose level resulted in 20% increase in GSSG/GSH ratio in HeLa-wild cells and 38% increase in HeLa-tat cells. Moreover, high glucose level resulted in a dramatic cytosolic thiol decrease and an important lipid peroxidation in HeLa-tat cells. No significant change of these two parameters was observed in HeLa-wild cells. In both cell lines, high glucose resulted in an increase of total SOD activity, as a consequence of the increase in Cu,Zn-SOD activity. High glucose did not result in an increase of Mn-SOD activity in both cell lines. As a consequence of tat tranfection Mn-SOD activity was 50% lower in HeLa-tat cells in comparison to HeLa-wild cells. This work emphasizes the importance of the antioxidant system in the glucose induced cytotoxicity.     

Zinc protects HeLa-tat cells against free radical cytotoxicity induced by glucose

In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of zinc on the glucose-induced cytotoxicity in HeLa wild and HeLa-tat cells (30 and 20 mmol/l glucose, respectively). HeLa cells transfected with the protein Tat exhibit a lower antioxidant defense system. Incubation of HeLa wild and HeLa-tat cells with high glucose levels led to a rapid increase in generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). As expected in the presence of high glucose concentrations, the viability was reduced for both cell lines. The redox status essentially regulated by thiol groups may play an important role in the apoptotic process. Thus, we developed a new method using the p-nitrophenyl disulfide to measure cytosolic thiol groups in intact cells. Cellular zinc was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Intracellular thiol groups and intracellular zinc concentrations were significantly lower in HeLa cells cultured in hyperglycemic conditions, and their concentrations were significantly lower in HeLa-tat cells than in HeLa wild cells. However, the generation of ROS and the induction of apoptosis by a glucose specific mechanism were prevented by zinc (50 micromol/l) and the intracellular thiol groups and zinc concentrations significantly increased in both cell lines to become similar to the initial values. These results suggest that the glucose oxidation and its subsequent effects on the cells can be prevented by a biological antioxidant such as zinc.     

HIV-1 Tat potentiates TNF-induced NF-kappa B activation and cytotoxicity by altering the cellular redox state.

This study demonstrates that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat protein amplifies the activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a cytokine that stimulates HIV-1 replication through activation of NF-kappa B. In HeLa cells stably transfected with the HIV-1 tat gene (HeLa-tat cells), expression of the Tat protein enhanced both TNF-induced activation of NF-kappa B and TNF-mediated cytotoxicity. A similar potentiation of TNF effects was observed in Jurkat T cells and HeLa cells treated with soluble Tat protein. TNF-mediated activation of NF-kappa B and cytotoxicity involves the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen intermediates. Therefore, Tat-mediated effects on the cellular redox state were analyzed. In both T cells and HeLa cells HIV-1 Tat suppressed the expression of Mn-dependent superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), a mitochondrial enzyme that is part of the cellular defense system against oxidative stress. Thus, Mn-SOD RNA protein levels and activity were markedly reduced in the presence of Tat. Decreased Mn-SOD expression was associated with decreased levels of glutathione and a lower ratio of reduced:oxidized glutathione. A truncated Tat protein (Tat1-72), known to transactivate the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR), no longer affected Mn-SOD expression, the cellular redox state or TNF-mediated cytotoxicity. Thus, our experiments demonstrate that the C-terminal region of HIV-1 Tat is required to suppress Mn-SOD expression and to induce pro-oxidative conditions reflected by a drop in reduced glutathione (GSH) and the GSH:oxidized GSH (GSSG) ratio.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat protein impairs selenoglutathione peroxidase expression and activity by a mechanism independent of cellular selenium uptake: consequences on cellular resistance to UV-A radiation

The expression of the HIV-1 Tat protein in HeLa cells resulted in a 2.5-fold decrease in the activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPX). This decrease seemed not to be due to a disturbance in selenium (Se) uptake. Indeed, the intracellular level of Se was similar in parental and tat-transfected cells. A Se enrichment of the medium did not lead to an identical GPX activity in both cell lines, suggesting a disturbance in Se utilization. Total intracellular 75Se selenoproteins were analyzed. Several quantitative differences were observed between parental and tat-transfected cells. Mainly, cytoplasmic glutathione peroxidase and a 15-kDa selenoprotein were decreased in HeLa-tat cells, while phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase and low-molecular-mass selenocompounds were increased. Thioredoxin reductase activity and total levels of 75Se-labeled proteins were not different between the two cell types. The effect of Tat on GPX mRNA levels was also analyzed. Northern blots revealed a threefold decrease in the GPX/glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA ratio in HeLa-tat versus wild type cells. By deregulating the intracellular oxidant/antioxidant balance, the Tat protein amplified UV sensitivity. The LD50 for ultraviolet radiation A was 90 J/cm2 for HeLa cells and only 65 J/cm2 for HeLa-tat cells. The oxidative stress occurring in the Tat-expressing cells and demonstrated by the diminished ratio of reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione was not correlated with the intracellular metal content. Cellular iron and copper levels were significantly decreased in HeLa-tat cells. All these disturbances, as well as the previously described decrease in Mn superoxide dismutase activity, are part of the viral strategy to modify the redox potential of cells and may have important consequences for patients.     

Specific biomarkers for stochastic division patterns and starvation-induced quiescence under limited glucose levels in fission yeast

Glucose as a source of energy is centrally important to our understanding of life. We investigated the cell division-quiescence behavior of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe under a wide range of glucose concentrations (0-111 mM). The mode of S. pombe cell division under a microfluidic perfusion system was surprisingly normal under highly diluted glucose concentrations (5.6 mM, 1/20 of the standard medium, within human blood sugar levels). Division became stochastic, accompanied by a curious division-timing inheritance, in 2.2-4.4 mM glucose. A critical transition from division to quiescence occurred within a narrow range of concentrations (2.2-1.7 mM). Under starvation (1.1 mM) conditions, cells were mostly quiescent and only a small population of cells divided. Under fasting (0 mM) conditions, division was immediately arrested with a short chronological lifespan (16 h). When cells were first glucose starved prior to fasting, they possessed a substantially extended lifespan (～14 days). We employed a quantitative metabolomic approach for S. pombe cell extracts, and identified specific metabolites (e.g. biotin, trehalose, ergothioneine, S-adenosyl methionine and CDP-choline), which increased or decreased at different glucose concentrations, whereas nucleotide triphosphates, such as ATP, maintained high concentrations even under starvation. Under starvation, the level of S-adenosyl methionine increased sharply, accompanied by an increase in methylated amino acids and nucleotides. Under fasting, cells rapidly lost antioxidant and energy compounds, such as glutathione and ATP, but, in fasting cells after starvation, these and other metabolites ensuring longevity remained abundant. Glucose-starved cells became resistant to 40 mM H(2)O(2) as a result of the accumulation of antioxidant compounds.     

Antioxidant responses of shoots and roots of lentil to NaCl-salinity stress

The effect of salt stress (100 mM and 200 mM NaCl) on antioxidant responses in shoots and roots of 14-day-old lentil (Lens culinaris M.) seedlings was investigated. Salt stress caused a significant decrease in length, wet-dry weight and an increase in proline content of both shoot and root tissues. In leaf tissues, high salinity treatment resulted in a 4.4 fold increase in H₂O₂ content which was accompanied by a significant level of lipid peroxidation and an increase in electrolyte leakage. Root tissues were less affected with respect to these parameters. Leaf tissue extracts exhibited four activity bands, of which two were identified as Cu/Zn-SOD and others as Fe-SOD and Mn-SOD. Fe-SOD activity was missing in root extracts. In both tissues Cu/Zn-SOD activity comprised 70–75% of total SOD activity. Salt stress did not cause a significant increase in total SOD activity of leaf tissues but a significant enhancement (88%) was observed in roots mainly due to an enhancement in Cu/ZnSOD isoforms. Compared to leaf tissues a significantly higher constitutive ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathion reductase (GR) activity was observed in root tissues. Upon salt stress no significant change in the activity of APX, catalase (CAT) and GR was observed in root tissues but a higher APX activity was present when compared to leaf tissues. On the other hand, in leaf tissues, with the exception of CAT, salt stress caused significant enhancement in the activity of other antioxidant enzymes. These results suggested that, root tissues of lentil are protected better from NaCl stress induced oxidative damage due to enhanced total SOD activity together with a higher level of APX activity under salinity stress. To our knowledge this is the first report describing antioxidant enzyme activities in lentil.     

Regulation of alanine dehydrogenase in Bacillus (licheniformis)

Cell extracts of Bacillus licheniformis were found to contain nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent l-alanine dehydrogenase (ADH) (l-alanine: NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.4.1.1). High specific activities (3.5 to 6.0 IU/mg of protein) were found in extracts of cells throughout growth cycles only when l-alanine served as the primary source of carbon or carbon and nitrogen. Specific activities were minimal (0.02 to 0.04 IU/mg of protein) during growth on glucose, but increased at least sevenfold during the first 5 h of postlogarithmic-phase metabolism. Addition of 10 mM glucose to cultures during logarithmic-phase growth on l-alanine resulted in a rapid decrease in enzyme activity. Addition of 20 mM l-alanine to cells near the completion of log-phase growth on glucose resulted in a 20-fold increase in ADH specific activity during less than one cell generation. Extracts of postlogarithmic-phase cells cultured on glucose, malate, l-glutamate, or Casamino Acids contained intermediate levels of ADH activity. The enzyme was partially purified from crude extracts of B. licheniformis, and apparent kinetic constants were estimated. A role for ADH in the catabolism of l-alanine to pyruvate during vegetative growth on l-alanine and during sporulation of cells cultured on glucose is proposed on the basis of these experimental results.     

Changes in expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, heme oxygenase-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xl and in level of reactive oxygen species in tumor cells resistant to doxorubicin

The relationship between expression of genes encoding key antioxidant enzymes, heme oxygenase-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xl and change in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from development of resistance of cancer cells K562, MCF-7, and SKOV-3 to the prooxidant chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) has been studied. Significant increase in mRNA level and activity of Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), catalase, and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) and reduced ROS level was found in resistant K562/DOX and SKVLB cells. In contrast, no change in ROS level was observed in MCF-7/DOX cells in parallel with decrease in Mn-SOD and catalase mRNAs and corresponding activities concurrently with high increase in GPx-1 mRNA and activity. As a result of the development of resistance, a similarity was found between the change in ROS level and the change in ho-1 and bcl-2 gene expression, whereas elevation of bcl-xl gene expression was observed in all three types of resistant cells. Particular features of development of adaptive antioxidant response as well as redox-dependent change in bcl-2 gene expression under formation of DOX resistance of cancer cells of different genesis are discussed.     

Insulin and glucose-dependent regulation of the glucose transport system in the rat L6 skeletal muscle cell line

Differentiated rat L6 skeletal muscle cell cultures maintained in glucose-deficient medium containing 25 mM xylose displayed a rapid, reversible, time- and concentration-dependent 3-5-fold increase in glucose transport activity. Glucose deprivation in the continuous presence of insulin (24 h) resulted in an overall 9-10-fold stimulation of glucose transport activity. In contrast, acute (30 min) and chronic (24 h) insulin treatment of L6 cells maintained in high glucose (25 mM)-containing medium resulted in a 1.5- and 4-fold induction of glucose transport activity, respectively. Acute glucose deprivation and/or insulin treatment had no significant effect on the total amount of glucose transporter protein, whereas the long-term insulin- and glucose-dependent regulation of glucose transport activity directly correlated with an increase in the cellular expression of the glucose transporter protein. In situ hybridization of the L6 cells demonstrated a 3-, 4-, and 6-fold increase in glucose transporter mRNA induced by glucose deprivation, insulin, and glucose deprivation plus insulin treatments, respectively. Similarly, Northern blot analysis of total RNA isolated from glucose-deprived, insulin, and glucose-deprived plus insulin-treated cells resulted in a 4-, 3-, and 9-fold induction of glucose transporter mRNA, respectively. The continuous presence of insulin in the medium, either in the presence or absence of glucose, resulted in a transient alteration of the glucose transporter mRNA. The relative amount of the glucose transporter mRNA was maximally increased at 6-12 h which subsequently returned to the basal steady-state level within 48 h. These data demonstrate a role for insulin and glucose in the overall regulation of glucose transporter gene expression which may account for the alteration of glucose transporter activity of muscle tissue observed in pathophysiological states such as type II diabetes mellitus.     

Ascorbate reverses high glucose- and RAGE-induced leak of the endothelial permeability barrier

High glucose concentrations due to diabetes increase leakage of plasma constituents across the endothelial permeability barrier. We sought to determine whether vitamin C, or ascorbic acid (ascorbate), could reverse such high glucose-induced increases in endothelial barrier permeability. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and two brain endothelial cell lines cultured at 25 mM glucose showed increases in endothelial barrier permeability to radiolabeled inulin compared to cells cultured at 5 mM glucose. Acute loading of the cells for 30–60 min with ascorbate before the permeability assay prevented the high glucose-induced increase in permeability and decreased basal permeability at 5 mM glucose. High glucose-induced barrier leakage was mediated largely by activation of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), since it was prevented by RAGE blockade and mimicked by RAGE ligands. Intracellular ascorbate completely prevented RAGE ligand-induced increases in barrier permeability. The high glucose-induced increase in endothelial barrier permeability was also acutely decreased by several cell-penetrant antioxidants, suggesting that at least part of the ascorbate effect could be due to its ability to act as an antioxidant.     

High expression of antioxidant proteins in dendritic cells: possible implications in atherosclerosis

Dendritic cells (DCs) display the unique ability to activate naive T cells and to initiate primary T cell responses revealed in DC-T cell alloreactions. DCs frequently operate under stress conditions. Oxidative stress enhances the production of inflammatory cytokines by DCs. We performed a proteomic analysis to see which major changes occur, at the protein expression level, during DC differentiation and maturation. Comparative two-dimensional gel analysis of the monocyte, immature DC, and mature DC stages was performed. Manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) reached 0.7% of the gel-displayed proteins at the mature DC stage. This important amount of Mn-SOD is a primary antioxidant defense system against superoxide radicals, but its product, H(2)O(2), is also deleterious for cells. Peroxiredoxin (Prx) enzymes play an important role in eliminating such peroxide. Prx1 expression level continuously increased during DC differentiation and maturation, whereas Prx6 continuously decreased, and Prx2 peaked at the immature DC stage. As a consequence, DCs were more resistant than monocytes to apoptosis induced by high amounts of oxidized low density lipoproteins containing toxic organic peroxides and hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore DC-stimulated T cells produced high levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand, a chemotactic and survival factor for monocytes and DCs. This study provides insights into the original ability of DCs to express very high levels of antioxidant enzymes such as Mn-SOD and Prx1, to detoxify oxidized low density lipoproteins, and to induce high levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand by the T cells they activate and further emphasizes the role that DCs might play in atherosclerosis, a pathology recognized as a chronic inflammatory disorder.     

High glucose-mediated oxidative stress impairs cell migration

Deficient wound healing in diabetic patients is very frequent, but the cellular and molecular causes are poorly defined. In this study, we evaluate the hypothesis that high glucose concentrations inhibit cell migration. Using CHO.K1 cells, NIH-3T3 fibroblasts, mouse embryonic fibroblasts and primary skin fibroblasts from control and diabetic rats cultured in 5 mM D-glucose (low glucose, LG), 25 mM D-glucose (high glucose, HG) or 25 mM L-glucose medium (osmotic control--OC), we analyzed the migration speed, protrusion stability, cell polarity, adhesion maturation and the activity of the small Rho GTPase Rac1. We also analyzed the effects of reactive oxygen species by incubating cells with the antioxidant N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC). We observed that HG conditions inhibited cell migration when compared to LG or OC. This inhibition resulted from impaired cell polarity, protrusion destabilization and inhibition of adhesion maturation. Conversely, Rac1 activity, which promotes protrusion and blocks adhesion maturation, was increased in HG conditions, thus providing a mechanistic basis for the HG phenotype. Most of the HG effects were partially or completely rescued by treatment with NAC. These findings demonstrate that HG impairs cell migration due to an increase in oxidative stress that causes polarity loss, deficient adhesion and protrusion. These alterations arise, in large part, from increased Rac1 activity and may contribute to the poor wound healing observed in diabetic patients.     

Zinc-induced damage to carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) erythrocytes in vitro

Fish erythrocytes were used to elucidate the effect of zinc ions on the cell antioxidant defence system. It was detected that an increase of the Zn2+ concentration (0.01-1 mM) leads to a marked decrease (p < 0.05) in the catalase and the glutathione peroxidase activities. We observed a loss of 14-39% activity of glutathione peroxidase, and 16-20% diminution for catalase. No significant changes were found in case of the superoxide dismutase. Incubation of red blood cells with zinc brought about a decrease of the erythrocyte thiol group content. Treatment of carp erythrocytes with zinc ions also resulted in enhanced hemolysis and in the induction of significant (p < 0.001) changes in the intracellular glucose level. The increase of glucose concentration in the erythrocytes was correlated with increased concentration of metal in the incubation medium. It was proposed that Zn could affect transport systems across the red blood cells and therefore increased the permeability of the membranes to small molecules (e.g. hexose), and led to hemolysis. Zinc ions could act as a potential cell toxicant, leading to disturbances in functions of the antioxidant defence system and to alterations in the erythrocyte membrane properties.     

High glucose-mediated effects on endothelial cell proliferation occur via p38 MAP kinase

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases contribute to altered cell growth and function in a variety of disease states. However, their role in the endothelial complications of diabetes mellitus remains unclear. Human endothelial cells were exposed for 72 h to 5 mM (control) or 25 mM (high) glucose or 5 mM glucose plus 20 mM mannitol (osmotic control). The roles of p38 and p42/44 MAP kinases in the high glucose-induced growth effects were determined by assessment of phosphorylated MAP kinases and their downstream activators by Western blot and by pharmacological inhibition of these MAP kinases. Results were expressed as a percentage (means +/- SE) of control. High glucose increased the activity of total and phosphorylated p38 MAP kinase (P < 0.001) and p42/44 MAP kinase (P < 0.001). Coexposure of p38 MAP kinase blocker with high glucose reversed the antiproliferative but not the hypertrophic effects associated with high-glucose conditions. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 increased the levels of phosphorylated p38 MAP kinase, and p38 MAP kinase blockade reversed the antiproliferative effects of this cytokine. The high glucose-induced increase in phosphorylated p38 MAP kinase was reversed in the presence of TGF-beta1 neutralizing antibody. Although hyperosmolarity also induced antiproliferation (P < 0.0001) and cell hypertrophy (P < 0.05), there was no change in p38 activity, and therefore inhibition of p38 MAP kinase had no influence on these growth responses. Blockade of p42/44 MAP kinase had no effect on the changes in endothelial cell growth induced by either high glucose or hyperosmolarity. High glucose increased p42/44 and p38 MAP kinase activity in human endothelial cells, but only p38 MAP kinase mediated the antiproliferative growth response through the effects of autocrine TGF-beta1. High glucose-induced endothelial cell hypertrophy was independent of activation of the MAP kinases studied. In addition, these effects were independent of any increase in osmolarity associated with high-glucose exposure.     

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a possible cause of accelerated senescence of mesothelial cells exposed to high glucose

High glucose has been found to accelerate cell senescence in vitro. The exact mechanism of this effect is, however, still poorly understood. In this paper we show that human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) propagated under high (30 mM) glucose were characterized by higher density of DNA double-strand breaks than cells exposed to standard (5 mM) glucose concentration. Under both low and high glucose conditions, the vast majority of DNA damage localized to non-telomeric regions of the genome. Moreover, exposure to high glucose resulted in increased accumulation of lipofuscin, increased production of superoxides and peroxides as well as reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and increased mitochondrial mass. Treatment of cells with the free radical scavenger PBN partially rescued the premature senescence caused by high glucose. Together, these results indicate that high glucose may accelerate senescence of HPMCs by impairing mitochondrial function, resulting in overproduction of reactive oxygen species and extensive DNA damage.     

Effect of normobaric hyperoxia on antioxidant defenses of HeLa and CHO cells

The effect of increased intracellular oxygen activation on cellular antioxidant defenses in CHO and HeLa cells was studied. In both cell types, hyperoxic exposure (up to 4 days, 600-700 mm Hg O2) and in CHO cells menadione (up to 3 days, 15 microM) failed to affect the enzymatic antioxidant defenses Mn-containing superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), CuZn-SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. The markedly increased antioxidant enzyme activities observed in a recently obtained oxygen-tolerant CHO variant persisted under normoxia. These data suggest that the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes is constitutive. Glutathione levels of HeLa cells did not respond to hyperoxia whereas in CHO cells hyperoxia and menadione exposure resulted in a 2- and 7-fold increase in glutathione contents, respectively. However, considering the large variations in glutathione contents observed under normal culture conditions, it is uncertain whether this increase is to be considered as a true adaptive response.     

Sodium meta-arsenite induced reactive oxygen species in human red blood cells: impaired antioxidant and membrane redox systems,haemoglobin oxidation,and morphological changes

Arsenic (As) is an air and water toxicant that causes cancer in multiple organs. Humans are exposed to As through contaminated water. We have examined the cytotoxicity of sodium meta-arsenite (SA), an As(III) compound, in human red blood cells (RBC) under in vitro conditions. Haemolysates were prepared from human RBC treated with different concentrations of SA (0.1–5.0?mM) for 5?h at 37?°C. SA treatment of RBC caused significant increase in methaemoglobin formation, protein and lipid oxidation, and nitric oxide levels. It also resulted in decrease in glutathione levels, methaemoglobin reductase activity and plasma membrane redox system. SA exposure also inhibited the pathways of glucose metabolism while increasing AMP deaminase and glyoxalase-I. It impaired the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defence systems which resulted in decreased antioxidant power and a compromised ability to quench free radicals. SA exposure also damaged the membrane since it decreased the activity of membrane bound enzymes, increased the osmotic fragility of treated cells and induced gross morphological changes. This cytotoxicity was the result of oxidative damage since the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased in SA treated erythrocytes. Thus As(III) causes extensive damage to RBC which impairs their antioxidant system and alters the major cellular metabolic pathways. All this has the potential to lower the oxygen carrying capacity of RBC and reduce their lifespan in blood.     

Inactivation of genes encoding superoxide dismutase modifies yeast response to S-nitrosoglutathione-induced stress

Antioxidant enzymes can modify cell response to nitrosative stress induced, for example, by nitric oxide or compounds decomposing with its formation. Therefore, we investigated the effects of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) on cell survival, activity of antioxidant enzymes, and concentrations of reduced and oxidized glutathione in parental and isogenic strains defective in Cu,Zn- or Mn-superoxide dismutases (Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD, respectively), or in both of them. Stress was induced by incubation of the yeast with 1–20 mM GSNO. The strains used demonstrated different sensitivity to GSNO. A Cu,Zn-SOD-defective strain survived the stress better than the parental strain, while the double mutant was the most sensitive to GSNO. The ^·NO-donor at low concentrations (1–5 mM) increased SOD activity, but its high concentrations (10 and 20 mM) decreased it. The activity of catalase in all strains was enhanced by GSNO. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide did not prevent the activation of SOD, but it prevented the activation of catalase. These facts suggest that SOD was activated at a posttranslational level and catalase activity was enhanced via de novo synthesis. A GSNO-induced increase in oxidized glutathione level in the studied yeast strains might account for cell killing by GSNO due to the development of oxidative/nitrosative stress. Published in Russian in Biokhimiya, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 4, pp. 550–557.     

Synergistic effect of high glucose and ANG II on proliferation of mouse embryonic stem cells: involvement of PKC and MAPKs as well as AT1 receptor

This study examined the synergistic effect of high glucose levels and ANG II on proliferation and its related signal pathways using mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. The combined use of a high glucose concentration (25 mM) and ANG II increased the level of [3H]thymidine/BrdU incorporation, and the number of cells compared with either treatment alone. Each treatment with high glucose or ANG II increased the cell population in the S phase compared with control, and the combined treatment of a high glucose concentration and ANG II significantly increased the number of cells in the S phase according to FACS analysis. Moreover, the high glucose-induced increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation was blocked by inhibiting the ANG II type 1 (AT1) receptor. The combined high glucose and ANG II significantly increased the STAT3 phosphorylation compared with high glucose or ANG II alone. ANG II stimulated the influx of Ca2+ in 25 mM glucose compared with 5 mM glucose. High glucose levels increase the level of PKC alpha, epsilon, and zeta translocation from the cytosol to the membrane fraction. In an examination of other signal pathways, the combined treatment significantly increased the level of p44/42, p38 MAPKs phosphorylation compared with either treatment alone. Indeed, the combined treatment increased the mRNA expression level of the protooncogenes and cell cycle regulatory proteins. In conclusion, the combined treatment of a high glucose concentration and ANG II had a synergistic effect in stimulating mouse ES cell proliferation through the Ca2+/PKC, MAPKs, and the AT1 receptor.     

Modulation of Endogenous Antioxidant Enzymes by Nitric Oxide in Rat C6 Glial Cells

Abstract: To understand the possible mechanism of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated cytotoxicity, we investigated the effect of NO on the endogenous antioxidant enzymes (AOEs) catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and CuZn- and Mn-superoxide dismutases (SODs) in rat C₆ glial cells under conditions in which these cells expressed oligodendrocyte-like properties as evidenced by the expression of 2′,3′-cyclic-nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase. The 24-h treatment with S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), a NO donor, decreased the activities and the protein levels of catalase, GPX, and Mn-SOD in a dose-dependent manner. Alternatively, the activity and the protein level of CuZn-SOD were increased. 2-Phenyl-4,4, 5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO), a NO scavenger, blocked the effect of SNAP. Moreover, the treatment of C₆ cells with sodium nitroprusside, another NO donor, or with a combination of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), which induce excessive production of NO, also significantly modulated the AOE activities in a manner similar to that seen with SNAP treatment. The compounds/enzymes that inhibit the production of NO (e.g., N-nitro-l -arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, arginase, and PTIO) blocked the effects of LPS and IFN-γ on the activities of AOEs. Treatment with SNAP and a combination of LPS and IFN-γ also modulated the mRNA levels of AOEs, parallel to the changes in their protein levels and activities, except for Mn-SOD where the combination of LPS and IFN-γ markedly stimulated the mRNA expression. In spite of the stimulation of mRNA level, LPS and IFN-γ significantly inhibited the activity of Mn-SOD within the first 24 h of incubation; however, Mn-SOD activity gradually increased with the increase in time of incubation. These results suggest that alterations in the status of AOEs by NO may be the basis of NO-induced cytotoxicity in disease states associated with excessive NO production.