Post-translational modification and proteolytic processing of urinary osteopontin

H(2)O(2) is a relatively long-lived reactive oxygen species that signals between cells and organisms. H(2)O(2) signalling in plants is essential for response to stress, defence against pathogens and the regulation of programmed cell death. Although H(2)O(2) diffusion across membranes is often considered as a passive property of lipid bilayers, native membranes represent significant barriers for H(2)O(2). In the present study we addressed the question of whether channels might facilitate H(2)O(2) conduction across plasma membranes. The expression of several plant plasma membrane aquaporins in yeast, including PIP2;1 from Arabidopsis (where PIP is plasma membrane intrinsic protein), enhanced the toxicity of H(2)O(2) and increased the fluorescence of dye-loaded yeast when exposed to H(2)O(2). The sensitivity of aquaporin-expressing yeast to H(2)O(2) was altered by mutations that alter gating and the selectivity of the aquaporins. The conduction of water, H(2)O(2) and urea was compared, using molecular dynamics simulations based on the crystal structure of SoPIP2;1 from spinach. The calculations identify differences in the conduction between the substrates and reveal channel residues critically involved in H(2)O(2) conduction. The results of the calculations on tetramers and monomers are in agreement with the biochemical data. Taken together, the results strongly suggest that plasma membrane aquaporin pores determine the efficiency of H(2)O(2) signalling between cells. Aquaporins are present in most species and their capacity to facilitate the diffusion of H(2)O(2) may be of physiological significance in many organisms and particularly in communication between different species.     

Substitution of a single amino acid residue in the aromatic/arginine selectivity filter alters the transport profiles of tonoplast aquaporin homologs

Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins that facilitate the transport of water and some small solutes across cellular membranes. X-ray crystallography of aquaporins indicates that four amino acids constitute an aromatic/arginine (ar/R) pore constriction known as the selectivity filter. On the basis of these four amino acids, tonoplast aquaporins called tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs) are divided into three groups in Arabidopsis. Herein, we describe the characterization of two group I TIP1s (TgTIP1;1 and TgTIP1;2) from tulip (Tulipa gesneriana). TgTIP1;1 and TgTIP1;2 have a novel isoleucine in loop E (LE2 position) of the ar/R filter; the residue at LE2 is a valine in all group I TIPs from model plants. The homologs showed mercury-sensitive water channel activity in a fast kinetics swelling assay upon heterologous expression in Pichia pastoris. Heterologous expression of both homologs promoted the growth of P. pastoris on ammonium or urea as sole sources of nitrogen and decreased growth and survival in the presence of H(2)O(2). TgTIP1;1- and TgTIP1;2-mediated H(2)O(2) conductance was demonstrated further by a fluorescence assay. Substitutions in the ar/R selectivity filter of TgTIP1;1 showed that mutants that mimicked the ar/R constriction of group I TIPs could conduct the same substrates that were transported by wild-type TgTIP1;1. In contrast, mutants that mimicked group II TIPs showed no evidence of urea or H(2)O(2) conductance. These results suggest that the amino acid residue at LE2 position is critical for the transport selectivity of the TIP homologs and group I TIPs might have a broader spectrum of substrate selectivity than group II TIPs.     

Molecular imaging of hydrogen peroxide produced for cell signaling

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is emerging as a newly recognized messenger in cellular signal transduction. However, a substantial challenge in elucidating its diverse roles in complex biological environments is the lack of methods for probing this reactive oxygen metabolite in living systems with molecular specificity. Here we report the synthesis and application of Peroxy Green 1 (PG1) and Peroxy Crimson 1 (PC1), two new fluorescent probes that show high selectivity for H2O2 and are capable of visualizing endogenous H2O2 produced in living cells by growth factor stimulation, including the first direct imaging of peroxide produced for brain cell signaling. The combined features of reactive oxygen species selectivity, sensitivity to signaling levels of H2O2, and live-cell compatibility presage many new opportunities for PG1, PC1 and related synthetic reagents for exploring the physiological roles of H2O2 in living systems with molecular imaging.     

拟南芥活性氧不敏感型突变体的筛选与特性分析

采用 EMS化学诱变方法与 H2 O2 氧化胁迫选择 ,以根在重力作用下的弯曲生长为指标 ,筛选得到拟南芥活性氧不敏感型突变体。对突变体杂交后代遗传分析表明 ,突变株对活性氧不敏感性状为隐性单基因突变所致 ;生理生化分析表明突变体对 H2 O2 有很强的抗性 ,表现为气孔开度对 H2 O2 不敏感和 H2 O2 胁迫时较低的膜脂过氧化水平。运用 L SCM技术并结合 H2 O2 荧光探针 H2 DCFDA检测外源 ABA诱导保卫细胞内产生 H2 O2 的情况 ,结果显示突变体体内荧光强度比对照低 ,暗示了突变体体内消除 H2 O2 的能力可能有所提高 ,增强了植株对氧化胁迫的抗性。拟南芥活性氧不敏感突变体的筛选 ,不仅为人们深入研究活性氧在细胞内的作用提供良好的实验材料 ,而且还将大大加深人们对信号转导途径的再认识     

Membrane transport of hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) belongs to the reactive oxygen species (ROS), known as oxidants that can react with various cellular targets thereby causing cell damage or even cell death. On the other hand, recent work has demonstrated that H2O2 also functions as a signalling molecule controlling different essential processes in plants and mammals. Because of these opposing functions the cellular level of H2O2 is likely to be subjected to tight regulation via processes involved in production, distribution and removal. Substantial progress has been made exploring the formation and scavenging of H2O2, whereas little is known about how this signal molecule is transported from its site of origin to the place of action or detoxification. From work in yeast and bacteria it is clear that the diffusion of H2O2 across membranes is limited. We have now obtained direct evidence that selected aquaporin homologues from plants and mammals have the capacity to channel H2O2 across membranes. The main focus of this review is (i) to summarize the most recent evidence for a signalling role of H2O2 in various pathways in plants and mammals and (ii) to discuss the relevance of specific transport of H2O2.     

Stimulus-induced downregulation of root water transport involves reactive oxygen species-activated cell signalling and plasma membrane intrinsic protein internalization

The water uptake capacity of plant roots (i.e. their hydraulic conductivity, Lp(r)) is determined in large part by aquaporins of the plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) subfamily. In the present work, we investigated two stimuli, salicylic acid (SA) and salt, because of their ability to induce an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an inhibition of Lp(r) concomitantly in the roots of Arabidopsis plants. The inhibition of Lp(r) by SA was partially counteracted by preventing the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) with exogenous catalase. In addition, exogenous H(2)O(2) was able to reduce Lp(r) by up to 90% in <15 min. Based on the lack of effects of H(2)O(2) on the activity of individual aquaporins in Xenopus oocytes, and on a pharmacological dissection of the action of H(2)O(2) on Lp(r), we propose that ROS do not gate Arabidopsis root aquaporins through a direct oxidative mechanism, but rather act through cell signalling mechanisms. Expression in transgenic roots of PIP-GFP fusions and immunogold labelling indicated that external H(2)O(2) enhanced, in <15 min, the accumulation of PIPs in intracellular structures tentatively identified as vesicles and small vacuoles. Exposure of roots to SA or salt also induced an intracellular accumulation of the PIP-GFP fusion proteins, and these effects were fully counteracted by co-treatment with exogenous catalase. In conclusion, the present work identifies SA as a novel regulator of aquaporins, and delineates an ROS-dependent signalling pathway in the roots of Arabidopsis. Several abiotic and biotic stress-related stimuli potentially share this path, which involves an H(2)O(2)-induced internalization of PIPs, to downregulate root water transport.     

Expression and inhibition of aquaporins in germinating Arabidopsis seeds

Extensive and kinetically well-defined water exchanges occur during germination of seeds. A putative role for aquaporins in this process was investigated in Arabidopsis. Macro-arrays carrying aquaporin gene-specific tags and antibodies raised against aquaporin subclasses revealed two distinct aquaporin expression programs between dry seeds and young seedlings. High expression levels of a restricted number of tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) isoforms (TIP3;1 and/or TIP3;2, and TIP5;1) together with a low expression of all 13 plasma membrane aquaporin (PIP) isoforms was observed in dry and germinating materials. In contrast, prevalent expression of aquaporins of the TIP1, TIP2 and PIP subgroups was induced during seedling establishment. Mercury (5 microM HgCl(2)), a general blocker of aquaporins in various organisms, reduced the speed of seed germination and induced a true delay in maternal seed coat (testa) rupture and radicle emergence, by 8-9 and 25-30 h, respectively. Most importantly, mercury did not alter seed lot homogeneity nor the seed germination developmental sequence, and its effects were largely reversed by addition of 2 mM dithiothreitol, suggesting that these effects were primarily due to oxidation of cell components, possibly aquaporins, without irreversible alteration of cell integrity. Measurements of water uptake in control and mercury-treated seeds suggested that aquaporin functions are not involved in early seed imbibition (phase I) but would rather be associated with a delayed initiation of phase III, i.e. water uptake accompanying expansion and growth of the embryo. A possible role for aquaporins in germinating seeds and more generally in plant tissue growth is discussed.     

Inactivation of SRC family tyrosine kinases by reactive oxygen species in vivo

Reactive oxygen species, including H2O2, O2*- and OH* are constantly produced in the human body and are involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species, besides their deleterious effects at high concentrations, may be protective. However, the mechanism underlying the protective effects of reactive oxygen species is not clear. Here, we reported a novel finding that H2O2 at low to moderate concentrations (50-250 microM) markedly inactivated Src family tyrosine kinases temporally and spatially in vivo but not in vitro. We further showed that Src family kinases localized to focal adhesions and the plasma membrane were rapidly and permanently inactivated by H2O2, which resulted from a profound reduction in phosphorylation of the conserved tyrosine residue at the activation loop. Interestingly, the cytoplasmic Src family kinases were activated gradually by H2O2, which partially compensated for the loss of total activities of Src family kinases but not their functions. Finally, H2O2 rendered endothelial cells resistant to growth factors and cytokines and protected the cells from inflammatory activation. Because Src family kinases play key roles in cell signaling, the rapid inactivation of Src family kinases by H2O2 may represent a novel mechanism for the protective effects of reactive oxygen species.     

Immunochemical analysis of aquaporin isoforms in Arabidopsis suspension-cultured cells

Aquaporins mediate the movement of water across biomembranes. Arabidopsis thaliana contains 35 aquaporins that belong to four subfamilies (PIP, TIP, SIP, and NIP). We investigated their expression profiles immunochemically in suspension-cultured Arabidopsis thaliana cells during growth and in response to salt and osmotic stresses. Protein amounts of all aquaporins were much lower in cultured cells than in the plant tissues. This is consistent with the low water permeability of protoplasts from cultured cells. After treatment with NaCl, the protein amounts of PIP2;1, PIP2;2, and PIP2;3 in the cells increased several-fold, and those of TIP1;1 and TIP1;2, 15- and 3-fold respectively. PIP1 did not change under the stress. Cell death began after 19 d in culture, accompanied by marked accumulation of PIPs and TIPs and a gradual decrease in SIPs. Our results suggest the followings: (i) Accumulation of aquaporin isoforms was individually regulated at low levels in single cells. (ii) At least PIP2;2, PIP2;3, TIP1;1, and TIP1;2 are stress-responsive aquaporins in suspension cells. (iii) A sudden increment of several members of PIP2 and TIP1 subfamilies might be related to cell death.     

H2O2 induces rapid biophysical and permeability changes in the plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the diffusion rate of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) through the plasma membrane decreases during adaptation to H2O2 by means of a mechanism that is still unknown. Here, evidence is presented that during adaptation to H2O2 the anisotropy of the plasma membrane increases. Adaptation to H2O2 was studied at several times (15min up to 90min) by applying the steady-state H2O2 delivery model. For wild-type cells, the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy increased after 30min, or 60min, when using 2-(9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid (2-AS), or diphenylhexatriene (DPH) membrane probe, respectively. Moreover, a 40% decrease in plasma membrane permeability to H2O2 was observed at 15min with a concomitant two-fold increase in catalase activity. Disruption of the ergosterol pathway, by knocking out either ERG3 or ERG6, prevents the changes in anisotropy during H2O2 adaptation. H2O2 diffusion through the plasma membrane in S. cerevisiae cells is not mediated by aquaporins since the H2O2 permeability constant is not altered in the presence of the aquaporin inhibitor mercuric chloride. Altogether, these results indicate that the regulation of the plasma membrane permeability towards H2O2 is mediated by modulation of the biophysical properties of the plasma membrane.     

Immunochemical Analysis of Aquaporin Isoforms in Arabidopsis Suspension-Cultured Cells

Aquaporins mediate the movement of water across biomembranes. Arabidopsis thaliana contains 35 aquaporins that belong to four subfamilies (PIP, TIP, SIP, and NIP). We investigated their expression profiles immunochemically in suspension-cultured Arabidopsis thaliana cells during growth and in response to salt and osmotic stresses. Protein amounts of all aquaporins were much lower in cultured cells than in the plant tissues. This is consistent with the low water permeability of protoplasts from cultured cells. After treatment with NaCl, the protein amounts of PIP2;1, PIP2;2, and PIP2;3 in the cells increased several-fold, and those of TIP1;1 and TIP1;2, 15- and 3-fold respectively. PIP1 did not change under the stress. Cell death began after 19 d in culture, accompanied by marked accumulation of PIPs and TIPs and a gradual decrease in SIPs. Our results suggest the followings: (i) Accumulation of aquaporin isoforms was individually regulated at low levels in single cells. (ii) At least PIP2;2, PIP2;3, TIP1;1, and TIP1;2 are stress-responsive aquaporins in suspension cells. (iii) A sudden increment of several members of PIP2 and TIP1 subfamilies might be related to cell death.     

Redox regulation of the VEGF signaling path and tissue vascularization: Hydrogen peroxide, the common link between physical exercise and cutaneous wound healing

Vascularization, under physiological or pathophysiological conditions, typically takes place by one or more of the following processes: angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, arteriogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis. Although all of these mechanisms of vascularization have sufficient contrasting features to warrant consideration under separate cover, one common feature shared by all is their sensitivity to the VEGF signaling pathway. Conditions such as wound healing and physical exercise result in increased production of reactive oxygen species such as H(2)O(2), and both are associated with increased tissue vascularization. Understanding these two scenarios of adult tissue vascularization in tandem offers the potential to unlock the significance of redox regulation of the VEGF signaling pathway. Does H(2)O(2) support tissue vascularization? H(2)O(2) induces the expression of the most angiogenic form of VEGF, VEGF-A, by a HIF-independent and Sp1-dependent mechanism. Ligation of VEGF-A to VEGFR2 results in signal transduction leading to tissue vascularization. Such ligation generates H(2)O(2) via an NADPH oxidase-dependent mechanism. Disruption of VEGF-VEGFR2 ligation-dependent H(2)O(2) production or decomposition of such H(2)O(2) stalls VEGFR2 signaling. Numerous antioxidants exhibit antiangiogenic properties. Current evidence lends firm credence to the hypothesis that low-level endogenous H(2)O(2) supports vascular growth.     

Potentiation of oxygen toxicity by menadione in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The cytotoxicity of molecular oxygen can be sharply increased in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by the use of redox compounds capable of shunting electrons in vivo and of spontaneous reoxidation under aerobic conditions. Among these redox compounds, menadione (Vitamin K3) is particularly able to stimulate the cyanide-resistant respiration of the yeast cells. Under steady-state conditions, the efficiency of menadione is modulated by the physiological state of the yeast cells and also depends on the availability of reducing agents within the cell. Menadione shows lethal effects towards yeast cells in the presence of O2 only, as a result of the production of toxic metabolites like O2-. and H2O2 which are actually detected in the extracellular fluid. Inhibitors of the enzymes scavenging O2-. and H2O2 generally potentiate the lethal effects of this redox compound. On the other hand, superoxide dismutase and/or catalase supplemented into the incubation buffer have been found to protect the cells to various extents from the cytotoxic effects of menadione. Our data support the following conclusions: When the cellular enzymatic defences are functional, the moderate lethality induced by menadione is principally mediated by O2-. ions acting on the outer side of the cell (peripheral region). In the presence of cyanide, but not of azide, the loss of viability also results from additional damage occurring within the inner cell region. In this case, intracellular injury can be caused by H2O2 alone but our data also suggest that during redox cycling more reactive species--O2-. and probably OH.--are generally intracellularly and are involved in the cytotoxic process.     

SB202190 调节蚕豆保卫细胞中SA 诱导H2O2 产生

运用激光共聚焦扫描技术, 在p38 MAP激酶专一抑制剂SB202190处理下, 探索植物促分裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogenactivated protein kinase, MAP激酶)介导蚕豆(Vicia faba)保卫细胞中H2O2为代表的活性氧(reactive oxygen species, ROS)信号机制, 发现: p38 MAP激酶专一抑制剂SB202190处理没有导致蚕豆保卫细胞中H2O2和Ca2+探针荧光强度增强, 与水杨酸 (salicylic acid, SA) 或脱落酸 (abscisic acid, ABA) 迅速加强2种探针荧光强度形成鲜明对比; 而该抑制剂分别与SA和ABA共同处理, 前者H2O2探针荧光强度没有增加, 而后者荧光强度仍然能够增加; 而进一步使用Ca2+螯合剂BAPTA和SB202190 ＋SA共同处理, H2O2探针荧光强度没有增加。这些结果初步表明: 无论胞质Ca2+浓度高低, SB202190调节蚕豆保卫细胞中SA诱导H2O2产生, 但是不调节植物逆境信使分子ABA 此类的反应。因此推测, 植物细胞中可能有类似动物和酵母细胞中的p38MAP激酶类, 并可能专一调节植物保卫细胞中H2O2信号通路。据我们所知, 这是首次报道SB202190和SA共同调节植物保卫细胞中ROS信号过程。     

SB202190调节蚕豆保卫细胞中SA诱导H2O2产生

运用激光共聚焦扫描技术,在p38MAP激酶专一抑制剂SB202190处理下,探索植物促分裂原活化蛋白激酶（mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAP激酶）介导蚕豆（Vicia faba）保卫细胞中H2O2为代表的活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）信号机制,发现：p38MAP激酶专一抑制剂SB202190处理没有导致蚕豆保卫细胞中H2O2和Ca^2＋探针荧光强度增强,与水杨酸（salicylic acid,SA）或脱落酸（abscisic acid,ABA）迅速加强2种探针荧光强度形成鲜明对比;而该抑制剂分别与SA和ABA共同处理,前者H2O2探针荧光强度没有增加,而后者荧光强度仍然能够增加;而进一步使用Ca^2＋螯合剂BAPTA和SB202190＋SA共同处理,H2O2探针荧光强度没有增加。这些结果初步表明：无论胞质Ca^2＋浓度高低,SB202190调节蚕豆保卫细胞中SA诱导H2O2产生,但是不调节植物逆境信使分子ABA此类的反应。因此推测,植物细胞中可能有类似动物和酵母细胞中的p38MAP激酶类,并可能专一调节植物保卫细胞中H2O2信号通路。据我们所知,这是首次报道SB202190和SA共同调节植物保卫细胞中ROS信号过程。     

Prooxidant and antioxidant action of 4-(4-phenoxybenzoyl)benzoic acid derivatives

4-(4-Phenoxybenzoyl)benzoic acid derivatives (PBADs) were found to inhibit rat and human alpha-reductase isozymes 1 and 2 in vitro. Chemiluminescence (CL), electron spin resonance, spin trapping techniques, and spectrophotometry were used to examine the effect of PBADs on reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical, O(2)(.-); hydroxyl radical, HO(*); singlet oxygen, (1)O(2)) generating systems. All test compounds at a concentration of 0.5 mM enhanced the CL from O(2)(.-) up to fivefold, which was recorded as the light sums during 1 min. At 0.38 mM PBAD enhanced production of HO(*) from H(2)O(2) in the presence of Co(II) up to 90%, as measured by a deoxyribose assay. Using the spin trap agent 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide, it was found that the amplitude of the signal arising from the Fenton-like reaction [Co(II)/H(2)O(2)] was significantly diminished by the test compounds. The compounds also inhibited the (1)O(2) dependent 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxide radical, which is generated in the acetonitrile/H(2)O(2) system. The measured rate constants of (1)O(2)-dimol quenching by PBAD were in the range of (0.8-2.6) x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1). The interaction between PBAD and (1)O(2) was also checked using a spectrophotometry method based on bleaching of p-nitrosodimethylaniline. These results indicate that PBAD may directly scavenge HO(*) and (1)O(2), but not O(2)(.-). However, the compounds that were examined had prooxidant ability under some reaction conditions.     

Activation of insulin-like growth factor type-1 receptor is required for H2O2-induced PKB phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells

Evidence accumulated in recent years has revealed a potential role for reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. However, the precise mechanisms by which ROS contribute to the development of these diseases are not fully established. Previous work from our laboratory has indicated that exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) activates several signaling protein kinases, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and protein kinase B (PKB) in A10 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). However, the upstream elements responsible for this activation remain unclear. Although a role for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) in H2O2-induced ERK1/2 signaling has been suggested, the contribution of this PTK or other receptor or nonreceptor PTKs to PKB activation is not well defined in VSMC. In this study, we used pharmacological inhibitors to investigate the role of receptor and Src-family-PTKs in H2O2-induced PKB phosphorylation. AG1478, a specific inhibitor of EGFR, failed to attenuate the H2O2-induced increase in PKB Ser473 phosphorylation, whereas AG1024, an inhibitor of insulin-like growth factor type1 receptor (IGF-1R)-PTK, almost completely blocked this response. H2O2 treatment also enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of the IGF-1Rbeta subunit, which was significantly inhibited by AG1024 pretreatment of cells. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of Src by PP2 (4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazole(3,4-d) pyrimidine) decreased PKB phosphorylation. Moreover, H2O2-induced PKB phosphorylation was associated with increased tyrosine phosphorylation of c-Src and Pyk2 in an AG1024- and PP2-inhibitable manner. In conclusion, these data provide evidence of the contribution of IGF-1R-PTK in initiating H2O2-evoked PKB phosphorylation in A10 VSMC, with an intermediary role for c-Src and Pyk2 in this process.     

Role of Protein Kinases in Abscisic Acid and H2O2 Induced Antioxidant Defense in Maize

Protein phosphorylation plays a central role in mediating abscisic acid (ABA) signaling transduction in plant cells, whereas many of the sensory proteins involving in ABA signaling pathway remain unclear. Here, using a modified in vitro kinase assay, our results showed that ABA and H2O2 induced a rapid activation of total protein kinases and calcium dependent protein kinases in the leaves of maize seedlings. However, ABA-induced activation of protein kinases was inhibited by reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitors or scavengers. Protein kinase inhibitors decelerated not only the ABA and H2O2 -induced kinase activity but also ABA or H2O2-induced antioxidant enzyme activity. Protein phosphorylation caused by ABA and H2O2 preceded ABA or H2O2 -induced antioxidant defense obviously. Using in-gel kinase assays, our results showed that several protein kinases with molecular masses of 66kDa, 52kDa, 49kDa and 35kDa respectively might mediate ABA and H2O2-induced antioxidant defense. And the 66kDa and 49kDa protein kinases may act downstream of ROS, and the 52kDa and 35kDa protein kinases may act between ABA and ROS in ABA-induced antioxidant defensive signaling.