DNA Single Strand Breakage by H2O2 and Ferric or Cupric Ions: Its Modulation by Histidine

The role of histidine on DNA breakage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ferric ions or by H₂O₂ and cupric ions was studied on purified DNA. L-histidine slightly reduced DNA breakage by H₂O₂ and Fe³⁺ but greatly inhibited DNA breakage by H₂O₂ and Cu²⁺. However, only when histidine was present, the addition of EDTA to H₂O₂ and Fe³⁺ exhibited a bimodal dose response curve depending on the chelator metal ratio. The enhancing effect of histidine on the rate of DNA degradation by H₂O₂ was maximal at a chelator metal ratio between 0.2 and 0.5, and was specific for iron. When D-histidine replaced L-histidine, the same pattern of EDTA dose response curve was observed. Superoxide dismutase greatly inhibited the rate of DNA degradation induced by H₂O₂, Fe³⁺, EDTA and L-histidine involving the superoxide radical.

These studies suggest that the enhancing effect of histidine on the rate of DNA degradation by H₂O₂ and Fe³⁺ is mediated by an oxidant which could be a ferrous-dioxygen-ferric chelate complex or a chelate-ferryl ion.     

Role of Hydroxyl Radicals in Escherzchza Colz Killing Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide

Escherichia coli lethality by hydrogen peroxide is characterized by two modes of killing. In this paper we have found that hydroxyl radicals (OH -) generated by H₂O₂ and intracellular divalent iron are not involved in the induction of mode one lethality (i.e. cell killing produced by concentrations of H₂O₂ lower than 2.5 mM). In fact, the OH radical scavengers, thiourea, ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide, and the iron chelator, desferrioxarnine, did not affect the survival of cells exposed to 2.5mM H₂O₂. In addition cell vulnerability to the same H₂O₂ concentration was independent on the intracellular iron content. In contrast, mode two lethality (i.e. cell killing generated by concentrations of H₂O₂ higher than 10mM) was markedly reduced by OH radical scavengers and desferrioxamine and was augmented by increasing the intracellular iron content.

It is concluded that OH. are required for mode two killing of E. coli by hydrogen peroxide.     

Lethality of hydrogen peroxide in wild type and superoxide dismutase mutants of Escherichia coli. (A hypothesis on the mechanism of H2O2-induced inactivation of Escherichia coli)

The toxicity of H₂O₂ in Escherichia coli wild type and superoxide dismutase mutants was investigated under different experimental conditions. Cells were either grown aerobically, and then treated in M9 salts or K medium, or grown anoxically, and then treated in K medium. Results have demonstrated that the wild type and superoxide dismutase mutants display a markedly different sensitivity to both modes of lethality produced by H₂O₂ (i.e. mode one killing, which is produced by concentrations of H₂O₂ lower than 5 mM, and mode two killing which results from the insult generated by concentrations of H₂O₂ higher than 10 mM). Although the data obtained do not clarify the molecular basis of H₂O₂ toxicity and/or do not explain the specific function of superoxide ions in H₂O₂-induced bacterial inactivation, they certainly demonstrate that the latter species plays a key role in both modes of H₂O₂ lethality. A mechanism of H₂O₂ toxicity in E. coli is proposed, involving the action of a hypothetical enzyme which should work as an O₂^-• generating system. This enzyme should be active at low concentrations of H₂O₂ (<5 mM) and high concentrations of the oxidant (>5 mM) should inactivate the same enzyme. Superoxide ions would then be produced and result in mode one lethality. The resistance at intermediate H₂O₂ concentrations may be dependent on the inactivation of such enzyme with no superoxide ions being produced at levels of H₂O₂ in the range 5–10 mM. Mode two killing could be produced by the hydroxyl radical in concert with superoxide ions, chemically produced via the reaction of high concentrations of H₂O₂ (>10 mM) with hydroxyl radicals. The rate of hydroxyl radical production may be increased by the higher availability of Fe²⁺ since superoxide ions may also reduce trivalent iron to the divalent form.     

Oxidant Stress and Glomerular Prostanoid Production: Influence of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibition

1. The effect of H₂O₂ (4.7 × 10^-9 4.7 × 10^-3M) on prostanoid production by isolated glomeruli from normotensive (WKY) and, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) has been studied.

2. Oxidant stress significantly increased synthesis of prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂), I₂(PGI₂)and thromboxane A₂ (TxA₂) by glomeruli from both strains whereas the ratio (PGE₂ + PGI₂)/TxA₂ increased in only SHR.

3. Pre-incubation of glomeruli with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors captopril or lisinopril, had virtually no effect on H₂O₂-induced synthesis of individual prostanoids nor on the ratio (PGE₂ + PGI₂)/TA₂ by glomeruli from either WKY or SHR.

4. The findings suggest that H₂O₂-induced changes in glomerular function may be mediated, in part, by PGs but fail to support the suggestion that the ability of ACEI to protect glomeruli from H₂O₂-induced damage is determined by PGs.     

Application of confocal laser scanning microscopy to detect oxidative stress in human colon cells

Introduction Excess of intracellular reactive oxygen species in relation to antioxidative systems results in an oxidative environment which may modulate gene expression or damage cellular molecules. These events are expected to greatly contribute to processes of carcinogenesis. Only few studies are available on the oxidative/reductive conditions in the colon, an important tumour target tissue. It was the objective of this work to further develop methods to assess intracellular oxidative stress within human colon cells as a tool to study such associations in nutritional toxicology.

Methods We have measured H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in different colon cell lines, in freshly isolated human colon crypts, and, for comparative purposes, in NIH3T3 mouse embryo fibroblasts. Detection was performed by loading the cells with the fluorigenic peroxide-sensitive dye 6-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (diacetoxymethyl ester), followed by in vitro treatment with H₂O₂ and fluorescence detection with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Using the microgel electrophoresis (“Comet”) Assay, we also examined HT29 stem and clone 19A cells and freshly isolated primary colon cells for their relative sensitivity toward H₂O₂-induced DNA damage and for steady-state levels of endogenous oxidative DNA damage.

Results A dose-response relationship was found for the H₂O₂-induced dye decomposition in NIH3T3 cells (7.8-125 μM H₂O₂) whereas no effect occurred in the human colon tumour cell lines HT29 stem and HT29 clone 19A (62-1000 μM H₂O₂). Fluorescence was significantly increased at 62 μM H₂O₂ in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2. In isolated human colon crypts, the lower crypt cells (targets of colon cancer) were more sensitive towards H₂O₂ than the more differentiated upper crypt cells. In contrast to the CLSM results, oxidative DNA damage was detected in both cell lines using the Comet Assay. Endogenous oxidative DNA damage was highest in HT29 clone 19A, followed by the primary colon cells and HT29 stem cells.

Conclusions Oxidative stress in colon cells leads to damage of macromolecules which is sensitively detected in the Comet Assay. The lacking response of the CLSM-approach in colon tumour cells is probably due to intrinsic modes of protective activities of these cells. In general, however, the CLSM method is a sensitive technique to detect very low concentrations of H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in NIH3T3 cells. Moreover, by using colon crypts it provides the unique possibility of assessing cell specific levels of oxidative stress in explanted human tissues. Our results demonstrate that the actual target cells of colon cancer induction are indeed susceptible to the oxidative activity of H₂O₂.     

Commentary: The Role of Iron-Sulfur Clusters in in vivo Hydroxyl Radical Production

The in vivo production of HO- requires iron ions, H₂O₂ and O₂- or other oxidants but probably does not occur through the Haber-Weiss reaction. Instead oxidants, such as O₂-, increase free iron by releasing Fe(II) from the iron-sulfur clusters of dehydratases and by interfering with the iron-sulfur clusters reassembly. Fe(II) then reduces H₂O₂, and in turn Fe(III) and the oxidized cluster are re-reduced by cellular reductants such as NADPH and glutathione. In this way, SOD cooperates with cellular reductants in keeping the iron-sulfur clusters intact and the rate of HO- production to a minimum.

O₂- and other oxidants can release iron from Fe(II)-containing enzymes as well as copper from thionein. The released Fe(III) and Cu(II) are then reduced to Fe(II) and Cu(I) and can then participate in the Fenton reaction.

In mammalian cells oxidants are able to convert cytosolic aconitase into active IRE-BP, which increases the “free” iron concentration intracellularly both by decreasing the biosynthesis of ferritin and increasing biosynthesis of transferrin receptors.

The biological role of the soxRS regulon of Escherichia coli, which is involved in the adaptation toward oxidative stress, is presumably to counteract the oxidative inactivation of the iron clusters and the subsequent release of iron with consequent increased rate of production of HO.     

Oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein by horseradish peroxidase in the absence of hydrogen peroxide

Heme-peroxidases, such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP), are among the most popular catalysts of low density lipoprotein (LDL) peroxidation. In this model system, a suitable oxidant such as H₂O₂ is required to generate the hypervalent iron species able to initiate the peroxidative chain. However, we observed that traces of hydroperoxides present in a fresh solution of linoleic acid can promote lipid peroxidation and apo B oxidation, substituting H₂O₂.

Spectral analysis of HRP showed that an hypervalent iron is generated in the presence of H₂O₂ and peroxidizing linoleic acid. Accordingly, careful reduction of the traces of linoleic acid lipid hydroperoxide prevented formation of the ferryl species in HRP and lipid peroxidation. However, when LDL was oxidized in the presence of HRP, the ferryl form of HRP was not detectable, suggesting a Fenton-like reaction as an alternative mechanism. This was supported by the observation that carbon monoxide, a ligand for the ferrous HRP, completely inhibited peroxidation of LDL.

These results are in agreement with previous studies showing that myoglobin ferryl species is not produced in the presence of phospholipid hydroperoxides, and emphasize the relevance of a Fenton-like chemistry in peroxidation of LDL and indirectly, the role of pre-existing lipid hydroperoxides.     

The Control of Iron-Induced Oxidative Damage in Isolated Rat-Liver Mitochondria by Respiration State and Ascorbate

The reaction of iron (II) with H₂O₂ is believed to generate highly reactive species (e.g., OH) capable of initiating biological damage. This study investigates the possibility that the severity of oxidative damage induced by iron in hepatic mitochondria is determined by the level of mitochondrial-H₂O₂ generation, which is believed to be particularly prominent in state-4 respiration.

Iron-induced damage is found to be greater in state-4 than in state-3 respiration. Experiments using uncoupling agents and Ca⁺⁺ to mimic state-3 conditions indicate that this effect reflects differences in the steady-state oxidation-level of the electron carriers of the respiratory chain (and hence the level of H₂O₂ -generation). rather than changes in redox potential or transportation of the metal-ion. Evidence is also presented for a mechanism in which Fe(II) and H₂O₂ react inside the mitochondrial matrix.

Ascorbate (vitamin C) is shown to be pro-oxidant in this system. except when present at very high concentration when it becomes antioxidant in nature.     

Is homocysteine a pro-oxidant?

High plasma homocysteine concentrations have been found to be associated with atherosclerosis and thrombosis of arteries and deep veins. The oxidative damage mediated by hydrogen peroxide production during the metal-catalyzed oxidation of homocysteine is to date considered to be one of the major pathophysiological mechanisms for this association.

In this work, a very sensitive and accurate method was employed to measure the effective production of H₂O₂ during homocysteine oxidation. Furthermore, the interaction of homocysteine with powerful oxidizing species (hypochlorite, peroxynitrite, ferrylmyoglobin) was evaluated in order to ascertain the putative pro-oxidant role of homocysteine.

Our findings indicate that homocysteine does not produce H₂O₂ in a significant amount (1/4000 mole/mole ratio of H₂O₂ to homocysteine). Moreover, homocysteine strongly inhibits the oxidation of luminol and dihydrorhodamine by hypochlorite or peroxynitrite and rapidly reduces back ferrylmyoglobin, the oxidizing species, to metmyoglobin.

All these results should, in our opinion, lead to a rethinking of the commonly held view that homocysteine oxidation is one of the main causative mechanisms of cardiovascular damage.     

Endogenous ferritin protects cells with iron-laden lysosomes against oxidative stress

Previous studies have shown that a variety of mammalian cell types, including macrophages, contain small amounts of redox-active iron in their lysosomes. Increases in the level of this iron pool predispose the cell to oxidative stress. Limiting the availability of intralysosomal redox-active iron could therefore represent potential cytoprotection for cells under oxidative stress.

In the present study we have shown that an initial 6 h exposure of J774 macrophages to 30 μM iron, added to the culture medium as FeCl₃, increased the lysosomal iron content and their sensitivity to H₂O₂-induced (0.25 mM for 30 min) oxidative stress. Over time (24-72 h), however, the cells were desensitized to the cytotoxic effects of H₂O₂; most likely as a consequence of both lysosomal iron exocytosis and of ferritin synthesis (demonstrated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, autometallography, and immunohistochemistry). When the cells were exposed to a second dose of iron, their lysosomal content of iron increased again but the cells became no further sensitized to the cytotoxic effects of H₂O₂. Using the lysosomotropic weak base, acridine orange, we demonstrated that after the second exposure to iron and H₂O₂, lysosomes remained intact and were no different from control cells which were exposed to H₂O₂ but not iron.

These data suggest that the initial induction of ferritin synthesis leads to enrichment of lysosomes with ferritin via autophagocytosis. This limits the redox-availability of intralysosomal iron and, in turn, decreases the cells' sensitivity to oxidative stress. These in vitro observations could also explain why cells under pathological conditions, such as haemochromatosis, are apparently able to withstand high iron concentrations for some time in vivo.     

番茄SlTpx原核表达蛋白的体外功能分析*

H₂O₂是一种重要的信号分子,参与植物体内多种生理代谢活动,但过量的H₂O₂破坏生物大分子,从而使细胞受到毒害。硫氧还蛋白过氧化物酶(thioredoxin peroxidase,Tpx)通过清除H₂O₂在保护植物免受氧化损伤方面起着重要作用。为进一步研究番茄Tpx基因(SlTpx)的功能,构建了番茄SlTpx原核表达载体,并诱导和纯化了SlTpx蛋白,发现该蛋白质大小约为21 kDa。为检测SlTpx的抗氧化功能,通过体外的混合功能氧化酶(MFO)实验、过氧化氢清除实验和SlTpx蛋白体外抗重金属和H₂O₂实验,证明SlTpx可以保护DNA不受有害活性氧切割,并且提高大肠杆菌抵抗重金属和H₂O₂胁迫的能力。为揭示SlTpx在植物中的功能和作用机制奠定基础。     

Effects of hypochlorite on cultured respiratory epithelial cells

Neutrophils and eosinophils are involved in the pathogenesis of many respiratory diseases. The enzymes myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase catalyze the reaction of H₂O₂ with Cl to produce the reactive oxygen species HOCl.

Normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells were exposed to 0.18-0.90 mM HOCl for 48 h, and studied with immunohistochemical, metabolic and morphological studies.

The ability of the cells to attach to each other and/or to the matrix was altered. Immunohistochemical studies showed a decreased amount of desmosomes and focal adhesion sites, although the morphology of the cells was not affected. The ability of the mitochondria to oxidize glucose was reduced. HOCl-exposed cells had an increased production of NO, probably by an increased activity of cNOS, due to increased intracellular Ca²⁺. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine inhibited both the NO production and the effects of HOCl on glucose oxidation. The cNOS-inhibitor N-propyl-L-arginine inhibited HOCl-induced NO production. X-ray microanalysis showed an increase in the intracellular Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, which indicates cell damage.

In conclusion, exposure to HOCl results in cell detachment and metabolic alterations in normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Oxygen radicals could in part mediate the effects. Oxygen radicals could hence contribute to the observed epithelial damage in respiratory diseases.     

Iron (II) Ions Induced Oxidation of Ascorbic Acid and Glucose

Lipid peroxidation (LPO) of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is suspected to be involved in the generation of chronic diseases. A model reaction for LPO is the air oxidation of PUFAs initiated by Fe²⁺ and ascorbic acid. In the course of such model reactions glycolaldehyde (GLA) was detected as main aldehydic product. Since it is difficult to explain the generation of GLA by oxidation of PUFAs, it was suspected that GLA might be derived by oxidation of ascorbic acid. This assumption was verified by treatment of ascorbic acid with Fe²⁺.

Produced aldehydic compounds were trapped by addition of pentafluorobenzylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA-HCl), trimethylsilylated and finally identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Oxidation of ascorbic acid with O₂ in presence of iron ions produced not only glycolaldehyde (GLA), but also glyceraldehyde (GA), dihydroxyacetone (DA) and formaldehyde. Glyoxal (GO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected as trace compounds.

The yield of the aldehydic compounds was increased by addition of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) or H₂O₂. The buffer influenced the reaction considerably: Iron ions react with Tris buffer by producing dihydroxyace-tone (DA). Since ascorbic acid is present in biological systems and Fe²⁺ ions are obviously generated by cell damaging processes, the production of GLA and other aldehydic components might add to the damaging effects of LPO.

Glucose suffers also oxidation to short-chain aldehydic compounds in aqueous solution, but this reaction requires addition of equimolar amounts of Fe²⁺ together with equimolar amounts of H₂O₂ or 13-hydroperoxy-9-cis-11-trans-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPODE). Therefore this reaction, also influenced by the buffer system, seems to be not of biological relevance.     

Does hydrogen peroxide exist “free” in biological systems?

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) can diffuse far from the site of production to intracellular locations where biological effects may be greater. The diffusion range is extended by H₂O₂ carriers formed spontaneously by hydrogen bonding with monomeric and polymeric compounds, including amino and dicarboxylic acids, peptides, proteins, nucleic acid bases, and nucleosides. Hydrogen peroxide adducts (HPAs) are readily synthesized, e.g., crystalline histidine (His)-H₂O₂ adducts. An equilibrium exists between an adduct-forming compound and H₂O₂. The detection and relative stabilities of HPAs are measured by the degree of decomposition of H₂O₂ as influenced by test compounds in buffered solution competing with glucose or fructose for H₂O₂. The HPAs delay decomposition of H₂O₂ up to several hundredfold. The overall charge on an HPA, i.e., its ability to penetrate cell membranes, influences the cytotoxic and clastogenic effects of H₂O₂. Growth inhibition of Salmonella typhimurium LT₂ by H₂O₂ is enhanced by neutral HPAs but decreased by anionic HPAs. Addition of catalase 1, 10, or 30 min after inoculation of S. typhimurium LT₂ reduces or nearly eliminates partial growth inhibition by H₂O₂, but a neutral HPA, expecially his-H₂O₂, transported H₂O₂ into the cells within 1 min, and in about 10 min completely inhibited growth. The stability of HPAs decreases with increasing pH or increasing temperature, while added Fe(II) in the presence and absence of EDTA accelerates H₂O₂ and HPA decomposition. Calculations indicate H₂O₂ hydrogen bonds with nucleic acid-base pairs with no apparent bond strain and energy stabilization comparable to normal hydrogen bonding.     

Haemoglobin and Myoglobin as Inhibitors of Hydroxyl Radical Generation in a Model System of “Iron Redox” Cycle

Methionine was oxidized to ethylene by an “Iron Redox” system containing H₂O₂, Fe-EDTA and ascorbate. generating hydroxyl radicals or another species of similar reactivity. Oxy or met forms of haemoglobin and myoglobin were found to inhibit methionine oxidation. Methionine oxidation was elevated in the “Iron Redox” system by increasing ascorbic acid concentration. However, in the presence of metmyoglobin or methaemoglobin, the increases in ascorbic acid did not lower the haemproteins' inhibitory effects but rather increased them.

The pro-oxidative or anti-oxidative activities of haemproteins in biological oxidative reactions seem to be dependent on compartmentalization and on the presence and concentrations of reducing compounds and H₂O₂.     

Distinct H2O2 concentration promotes proliferation of tumour cells after transient oxygen/glucose deprivation

A solid tumour undergoes ischemia/reperfusion due to deficient vascularization and subsequent formation of new blood vessels. This study investigated the effect of transient oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) on proliferation of C6 glioma cells. The cells were subjected to 18 h of OGD followed by reoxygenation in the presence of glucose and different extra-cellular H₂O₂ concentrations since H₂O₂ affects cell proliferation. After reoxygenation, the cellular H₂O₂ concentration was increased returning to control levels within 24 h. Within this period, increase in cell number and MTT-reduction were impaired. Regeneration was completed on the third day of reoxygenation. MTT-reduction increased faster than cell number, indicating an OGD-dependent up-regulation of protein expression. It is concluded that ischemia/reperfusion stress promotes proliferation of tumour cells. An essential factor is a distinct H₂O₂ concentration. Massive elevation as well as significant reduction of H₂O₂ concentration impairs the proliferation process.     

Inactivation of myocardial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase by myeloperoxidase systems: effect of halides, nitrite and thiol compounds

Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH) lipoamide reductase activity decreased whereas enzyme diaphorase activity increased after LADH treatment with myeloperoxidase (MPO) dependent systems (MPO/H₂O₂/halide, MPO/NADH/halide and MPO/H₂O₂/nitrite systems. LADH inactivation was a function of the composition of the inactivating system and the incubation time. Chloride, iodide, bromide, and the thiocyanate anions were effective complements of the MPO/H₂O₂ system. NaOCl inactivated LADH, thus supporting hypochlorous acid (HOCl) as putative agent of the MPO/H₂O₂/NaCl system. NaOCl and the MPO/H₂O₂/NaCl system oxidized LADH thiols and NaOCl also oxidized LADH methionine and tyrosine residues. LADH inactivation by the MPO/ NADH/halide systems was prevented by catalase and enhanced by superoxide dismutase, in close agreement with H₂O₂ production by the LADH/NADH system. Similar effects were obtained with lactoperoxidase and horseradish peroxidase suplemented systems. L-cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, penicillamine, N-(2-mercaptopropionylglycine), Captopril and taurine protected LADH against MPO systems and NaOCl. The effect of the MPO/H₂O₂/NaNO₂ system was prevented by MPO inhibitors (sodium azide, isoniazid, salicylhydroxamic acid) and also by L-cysteine, L-methionine, L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, L-histidine and reduced glutathione. The summarized observations support the hypothesis that peroxidase-generated “reactive species” oxidize essential thiol groups at LADH catalytic site.     

Oxidation and Cross-Linking of Human Hemoglobins by Activated Oxygen Species

The effect of activated oxygen species on human hemoglobins was studied. All radicals induced polymerization in Hb A both intermolecular and by cross-linking of subunits (intramolecular). However, a system producing mainly superoxide ion gave the most important changes. An oxidation step is necessary to produce polymerization since in the case of cyanmet Hb A (where there is no possible oxidation) no polymerization occurs. The effect of O^-₂ on blocked SH β 93 Hbs or on the abnormal Hbs tested was practically identical to that on Hb A although their autoxidation rates were modified. Consequently the action of radicals is different from autoxidation processes and the modified residues in the abnormal hemoglobins are not involved in the action of superoxide ion on Hb.

The kinetics of oxidation of Hb by H₂O₂ followed two steps: the first is the oxidation of oxy Hb to ferri Hb and the second is hemichrome formation. This last step is independent of the presence of H₂O₂ since it is not inhibited by catalase. The kinetics of oxidation to ferri Hb were of second order and the rate constant was found to be 16 M^-1 sec^-1.     

Peroxidase-Mediated Oxidation, a Possible Pathway for Activation of the Fungal Nephrotoxin Orellanine and Related Compounds. ESR and Spin-Trapping Studies

Orellanine is the tetrahydroxylated and di-N-oxidized bipyridine toxin extracted from several Cortinarius mushrooms among them C. orellanus. The pathogenic mechanism involved in the C. orellanus-poisoning by orellanine leading to kidney impairment is not yet fully understood until now. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy has been used to study the activation of orellanine by horseradish peroxidase/H₂O₂ system at physiological pH. Evidence for a one-electron oxidation of the toxin by this enzymatic system to an ortho-semiquinone radical intermediate is presented.

The orellanine ortho-semiquinone generated by the peroxidase/H₂O₂ system abstracts hydrogen from glutathione, generating the glutathionyl radical which is spin-trapped by 5,5'-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) and subsequently detected by ESR spectroscopy. Similarly, the ortho-semiquinone abstracts hydrogen from ascorbic acid to generate the ascorbyl radical which is detected by direct ESR. The peroxidatic oxidation of orellanine to semiquinone followed by its reduction by glutathione or ascorbic acid does not induce dioxygen uptake. The relationship between chemical structure and HRP oxidation of orellanine-related molecules, namely orelline and DHBPO₂ (the parent molecule lacking of hydroxyl groups in 3 and 3' position) has been investigated in absence or in presence of reducing agents. None of the orellanine-related compounds can be oxidized by the HRP/H₂O₂ system, showing that both catecholic moieties and aminoxide groups are necessary for observing the formation of the ortho-semiquinone form of orellanine. As shown for the (photo)chemical oxidation of orellanine, the mechanism of toxicity could be correlated with a depletion of glutathione and ascorbate levels which are implicated in the defence against oxidative damage.     

油菜RbohB基因的克隆及逆境响应表达分析

利用RACE技术从‘陇油6号’油菜中克隆得到一个新的RbohB基因,全长2 694 bp,开放阅读框2 541 bp,编码846个氨基酸。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明RbohB基因表达受低温、高盐、H₂O₂诱导,MAPKK抑制剂U0126预处理12 h再经低温、高盐、H₂O₂诱导,与单独处理结果相比,RbohB基因表达明显降低,表明该基因在油菜适应低温、高盐、H₂O₂胁迫过程中发挥作用,U0126对该基因的转录有抑制作用。NADPH氧化酶活性受H₂O₂处理的诱导,U0126预处理12 h再经H₂O₂处理,与单独H₂O₂处理结果相比,NADPH氧化酶活性明显降低,表明MAPKK抑制剂U0126对该酶活性有抑制作用。