Glutathione oxidation during peroxidase catalysed drug metabolism

The peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of certain drugs in the presence of glutathione (GSH) resulted in extensive oxidation to oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Extensive oxygen uptake ensued and thiyl radicals could be trapped. Only catalytic amounts of drugs were required indicating a redox cycling mechanism. Active drugs included phenothiazines, aminopyrine, p-phenetidine, acetaminophen and 4-N,N-(CH3)2-aminophenol. Other drugs, including dopamine and alpha-methyl dopa, did not catalyse oxygen uptake, nor were GSSG or thiyl radicals formed. Instead, GSH was depleted by GSH conjugate formation. Drugs of the former group, e.g. acetaminophen, aminopyrine or N,N-(CH3)2-aniline have also been found by other investigators to form GSSG and hydrogen peroxide when added to hepatocytes or when perfused through an isolated liver. Although cytochrome P-450 normally catalyses a two-electron oxidation of drugs, serious consideration should be given for some one-electron oxidation resulting in radical formation, oxygen activation and GSSG formation.     

Metabolism of diethylstilbestrol by horseradish peroxidase and prostaglandin-H synthase. Generation of a free radical intermediate and its interaction with glutathione

Diethylstilbestrol is carcinogenic in rodents and in humans and its peroxidatic oxidation in utero has been associated with its carcinogenic activity. Horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of [14C]diethylstilbestrol and [14C]diethylstilbestrol analogs induced binding of radiolabel to DNA only when the compound contained a free hydroxy group (Metzler, M., and Epe, B. (1984) Chem. Biol. Interact. 50, 351-360). We have found that horseradish peroxidase or prostaglandin-H synthase-catalyzed oxidation of diethylstilbestrol in the presence of the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide caused the generation of an ESR signal indicative of a free radical intermediate (aN = 14.9 G, aH = 18.3 G). The identity of the trapped radical could not be identified on the basis of published hyperfine coupling constants, but the observation that horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 1-naphthol produced an identical ESR signal suggests that the radical was either a phenoxy or phenoxy-derived radical. During horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of diethylstilbestrol in the presence of glutathione the thiol reduced the diethylstilbestrol radical to generate a thiyl radical. This was shown by a thiol-dependent oxygen uptake during horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of diethylstilbestrol and the observation of an ESR signal consistent with 5,5-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide-glutathionyl radical adduct formation. A diethylstilbestrol analog devoid of free hydroxy groups, namely diethylstilbestrol dipropionate, did not produce an ESR signal above control levels during horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed metabolism in the presence of 5,5-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide. Thus, free radicals are formed during peroxidatic oxidation of diethylstilbestrol and must be considered as possible determinants of the genotoxic activity of this compound.     

Myeloperoxidase catalysed cooxidative metabolism of methimazole: oxidation of glutathione and NADH by free radical intermediates

The myeloperoxidase catalysed oxidation of methimazole in the presence of NADH or GSH resulted in oxygen uptake suggesting that metabolism proceeded via a one electron mechanism. The GSH was oxidised to GSSG and the thiyl radical could be trapped with DMPO while NADH was oxidized to NAD+. Metabolism proceeded without the inactivation of the enzyme myeloperoxidase. Myeloperoxidase catalyzed oxidation of other substrates which proceed via one electron intermediates; 2,6-dimethylphenol, N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-phenylenediamine and luminol, were all stimulated by methimazole providing further evidence for a methimazole free radical. The presence of iodide stimulated the oxidation of methimazole but inhibited the oxygen uptake in the presence of GSH or NADH suggesting that metabolism in this case proceeded by a two electron mechanism. In contrast, another S-thioureylene drug, thiourea; did not cause oxygen uptake when oxidised in the presence of GSH or NADH indicating that the myeloperoxidase oxidation of thiourea proceeded primarily by a two electron mechanism. The horseradish peroxidase catalysed one electron oxidation of p'p'-biphenol, and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine was reversibly inhibited by methimazole and thiourea by preventing the accumulation of oxidation products via reductive mechanisms whereas the reversible inhibition of guaiacol and luminol oxidation was the result of competitive inhibition. With p,p'-biphenol, and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine unstable adduct formation could be demonstrated.     

Peroxidase activation of 1-naphthol to naphthoxy or naphthoxy-derived radicals and their reaction with glutathione

1-Naphthol was metabolised by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in a H2O2-dependent reaction to methanol-soluble and covalently bound products. Spectrophotometric and electron spin resonance (ESR) studies established that HRP catalysed the one electron oxidation of 1-naphthol to naphthoxy or a naphthoxy-derived radical. Inclusion of glutathione (GSH) in the reaction caused a dose-dependent inhibition of covalent binding and an increase in the amount of unmetabolised 1-naphthol present at the end of the incubation. gamma-Radiolysis studies suggest that this is due to the reduction of naphthoxy radicals by GSH yielding 1-naphthol and GS.. In agreement with this, HRP-catalysed-oxidation of 1-naphthol in the presence of GSH, was found to stimulate oxidised glutathione (GSSG) formation.     

Direct electron spin resonance detection of free radical intermediates during the peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of phenacetin metabolites

The oxidation of the phenacetin metabolites p-phenetidine and acetaminophen by peroxidases was investigated. Free radical intermediates from both metabolites were detected using fast-flow ESR spectroscopy. Oxidation of acetaminophen with either lactoperoxidase and hydrogen peroxide or horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide resulted in the formation of the N-acetyl-4-aminophenoxyl free radical. Totally resolved spectra were obtained and completely analyzed. The radical concentration was dependent on the square root of the enzyme concentration, indicating second-order decay of the radical, as is consistent with its dimerization or disproportionation. The horseradish peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide-catalyzed oxidation of p-phenetidine (4-ethoxyaniline) at pH 7.5-8.5 resulted in the one-electron oxidation products, the 4-ethoxyaniline cation free radical. The ESR spectra were well resolved and could be unambiguously assigned. Again, the enzyme dependence of the radical concentration indicated a second-order decay. The ESR spectrum of the conjugate base of the 4-ethoxyaniline cation radical, the neutral 4-ethoxyphenazyl free radical, was obtained at pH 11-12 by the oxidation of p-phenetidine with potassium permanganate.     

Glutathione-thiyl radical scavenging and transferase properties of human glutaredoxin (thioltransferase). Potential role in redox signal transduction

Glutaredoxin (GRx, thioltransferase) is implicated in cellular redox regulation, and it is known for specific and efficient catalysis of reduction of protein-S-S-glutathione-mixed disulfides (protein-SSG) because of its remarkably low thiol pK(a) ( approximately 3.5) and its ability to stabilize a catalytic S-glutathionyl intermediate (GRx-SSG). These unique properties suggested that GRx might also react with glutathione-thiyl radicals (GS(.)) and stabilize a disulfide anion radical intermediate (GRx-SSG), thereby facilitating the conversion of GS(.) to GSSG or transfer of GS(.) to form protein-SSG. We found that GRx catalyzes GSSG formation in the presence of GS-thiyl radical generating systems (Fe(2+)/ADP/H(2)O(2) + GSH or horseradish peroxidase/H(2)O(2) + GSH). Catalysis is dependent on O(2) and results in concomitant superoxide formation, and it is distinguished from glutathione peroxidase-like activity. With the horseradish peroxidase system and [(35)S]GSH, GRx enhanced the rate of GS-radiolabel incorporation into GAPDH. GRx also enhanced the rate of S-glutathionylation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase with GSSG or S-nitrosoglutathione, but these glutathionyl donors were much less efficient. Both actin and protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1B were superior substrates for GRx-facilitated S-glutathionylation with GS-radical. These studies characterize GRx as a versatile catalyst, facilitating GS-radical scavenging and S-glutathionylation of redox signal mediators, consistent with a critical role in cellular regulation.     

The interaction of reduced glutathione with active oxygen species generated by xanthine-oxidase-catalyzed metabolism of xanthine

The interaction of reduced glutathione (GSH) with active oxygen species generated during xanthine-oxidase-catalyzed metabolism of xanthine was investigated. The only GSH-derived product detected in this system was oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Catalase inhibited the oxidation of GSH to GSSG by more than 80%, whereas superoxide dismutase exerted a smaller but significant inhibition of GSSG formation. Hydroxyl radical (OH) scavengers or desferrioxamine (1 mM) had no effect on GSSG formation. Using EPR spectroscopy and the spin trap 5,5-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), the production of superoxide was observed by the detection of a DMPO-OOH radical adduct. This spectrum was altered by the inclusion of GSH (5 - 20 mM) in the reaction mixture, indicating the generation of a different radical species consistent with DMPO-glutathionyl radical adduct generation.     

Thiol and Mn(2+)-mediated oxidation of veratryl alcohol by horseradish peroxidase.

Horseradish peroxidase has been shown to catalyze the oxidation of veratryl alcohol (3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol) and benzyl alcohol to the respective aldehydes in the presence of reduced glutathione, MnCl2, and an organic acid metal chelator such as lactate. The oxidation is most likely the result of hydrogen abstraction from the benzylic carbon of the substrate alcohol leading to eventual disproportionation to the aldehyde product. An aromatic cation radical intermediate, as would be formed during the oxidation of veratryl alcohol in the lignin peroxidase-H2O2 system, is not formed during the horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed reaction. In addition to glutathione, dithiothreitol, L-cysteine, and beta-mercaptoethanol are capable of promoting veratryl alcohol oxidation. Non-thiol reductants, such as ascorbate or dihydroxyfumarate (known substrates of horseradish peroxidase), do not support oxidation of veratryl alcohol. Spectral evidence indicates that horseradish peroxidase compound II is formed during the oxidation reaction. Furthermore, electron spin resonance studies indicate that glutathione is oxidized to the thiyl radical. However, in the absence of Mn2+, the thiyl radical is unable to promote the oxidation of veratryl alcohol. In addition, Mn3+ is unable to promote the oxidation of veratryl alcohol in the absence of glutathione. These results suggest that the ultimate oxidant of veratryl alcohol is a Mn(3+)-GSH or Mn(2+)-GS. complex (where GS. is the glutathiyl radical).     

Glutathione conjugate formation without N-demethylation during the peroxidase catalysed N-oxidation of N,N',N,N'-tetramethylbenzidine

The mechanism of peroxidative N-dealkylation of alkylamines proceeds via one-electron oxidation to the iminium cation which reacts with water to give the N-hydroxymethyl derivative which decomposes to formaldehyde and the N-demethylated product. This reaction is normally inhibited by glutathione by reduction of the cation radical with subsequent formation of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) with oxygen uptake. It was found that the horseradish peroxidase catalyzed N-demthylation of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylbenzidine (N4-TMB) in the presence of glutathione leads to the formation of water-soluble metabolites identified by high field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry as 3,3'-(diglutathion-S-yl) and 2,2'-(diglutathion-S-yl)-N4-TMB. Smaller amounts of (monoglutathion-S-yl)-N4-TMB were also found. Only trace amounts of GSSG were formed and no oxygen uptake was observed. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry in the presence of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) did not indicate the presence of a DMPO-glutathionyl adduct. These results indicate that glutathione inhibited the N-demethylation of N4-TMB under the described reaction conditions not by reduction of the cation radical but by conjugate formation. The mechanism of N-demethylation must involve removal of two successive electrons to give the benzoquinone-diimine which undergoes rearrangement to the iminium cation followed by reaction with water.     

Characterization of Glutathione Uptake in Broad Bean Leaf Protoplasts

Transport of reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) was studied with broad bean (Vicia faba L.) leaf tissues and protoplasts. Protoplasts and leaf discs took up GSSG at a rate about twice the uptake rate of GSH. Detailed studies with protoplasts indicated that GSH and GSSG uptake exhibited the same sensitivity to the external pH and to various chemical reagents. GSH uptake was inhibited by GSSG and glutathione conjugates. GSSG uptake was inhibited by GSH and GS conjugates, and the uptake of metolachlor-GS was inhibited by GSSG. Various amino acids (L-glutamic acid, L-glutamine, L-cysteine, L-glycine, L-methionine) and peptides (glycine-glycine, glycine-glycine-glycine) affected neither the transport of GSH nor GSSG. Uptake kinetics indicate that GSH is taken up by a single saturable transporter, with an apparent Km of 0.4 mM, whereas GSSG uptake exhibits two saturable phases, with an apparent Km of 7 [mu]M and 3.7 mM. It is concluded that the plasma membrane of leaf cells contains a specific transport system for glutathione, which takes up GSSG and GS conjugates preferentially over GSH. Proton flux measurements and electrophysiological measurements indicate that GSH and GSSG are taken up with proton symport. However, a detailed analysis of these measurements suggests that the ion movements induced by GSSG differ from those induced by GSH.     

Sequential opening of mitochondrial ion channels as a function of glutathione redox thiol status

Mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) depolarization contributes to cell death and electrical and contractile dysfunction in the post-ischemic heart. An imbalance between mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and scavenging was previously implicated in the activation of an inner membrane anion channel (IMAC), distinct from the permeability transition pore (PTP), as the first response to metabolic stress in cardiomyocytes. The glutathione redox couple, GSH/GSSG, oscillated in parallel with DeltaPsi(m) and the NADH/NAD(+) redox state. Here we show that depletion of reduced glutathione is an alternative trigger of synchronized mitochondrial oscillation in cardiomyocytes and that intermediate GSH/GSSG ratios cause reversible DeltaPsi(m) depolarization, although irreversible PTP activation is induced by extensive thiol oxidation. Mitochondrial dysfunction in response to diamide occurred in stages, progressing from oscillations in DeltaPsi(m) to sustained depolarization, in association with depletion of GSH. Mitochondrial oscillations were abrogated by 4'-chlorodiazepam, an IMAC inhibitor, whereas cyclosporin A was ineffective. In saponin-permeabilized cardiomyocytes, the thiol redox status was systematically clamped at GSH/GSSG ratios ranging from 300:1 to 20:1. At ratios of 150:1-100:1, DeltaPsi(m) depolarized reversibly, and a matrix-localized fluorescent marker was retained; however, decreasing the GSH/GSSG to 50:1 irreversibly depolarized DeltaPsi(m) and induced maximal rates of reactive oxygen species production, NAD(P)H oxidation, and loss of matrix constituents. Mitochondrial GSH sensitivity was altered by inhibiting either GSH uptake, the NADPH-dependent glutathione reductase, or the NADH/NADPH transhydrogenase, indicating that matrix GSH regeneration or replenishment was crucial. The results indicate that GSH/GSSG redox status governs the sequential opening of mitochondrial ion channels (IMAC before PTP) triggered by thiol oxidation in cardiomyocytes.     

Reversal by nickel(II) of inhibitory effects of some scavengers of active oxygen species upon hydroxylation of 2'-deoxyguanosine in vitro.

Effects of ethanol (EtOH), mannitol (Man), L-histidine (His) and glutathione (GSH) on the oxidation of 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) to its 8-hydroxy derivative (8-OH-dG) with H2O2 plus L-ascorbic acid (Ascb) in the absence and presence of Ni(II) were investigated in order to unveil the nature of active oxygen species involved in that oxidation. In the absence of Ni(II), production of 8-OH-dG was inhibited by His much greater than GSH greater than or equal to GSSG (oxidized glutathione) much greater than EtOH, but not by Man. The latter tended to enhance the production of 8-OH-dG. In the presence of Ni(II), the inhibition by His, GSH and GSSG, but not EtOH, was prevented. The results indicate involvement of a 'crypto-hydroxyl' radical as the dG oxidizing species in both the absence and presence of Ni(II). Also, the results provide evidence that Ni(II) complexes with His, GSH and GSSG may lack antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the Ni(II) complex with His was found capable of enhancing 8-OH-dG production by the Ascb+H2O2 system to a greater extent than Ni(II) alone. Likewise, although to a lesser extent, the formation of 8-OH-dG was enhanced by the combination of Ni(II) and Man which do not form complexes at pH 7.4. Since His is a major Ni(II) carrier in animal tissues, the dG oxidation enhancing capacity of the Ni(II) complex with His may contribute to the toxic and carcinogenic effects of Ni(II).     

Mechanisms of acetaminophen oxidation to N-acetyl-P-benzoquinone imine by horseradish peroxidase and cytochrome P-450

Horseradish peroxidase rapidly catalyzed the H2O2-dependent polymerization of acetaminophen. Acetaminophen polymerization was decreased and formation of GSSG and minor amounts of GSH-acetaminophen conjugates were detected in reaction mixtures containing GSH. These data suggest that horseradish peroxidase catalyzed the 1-electron oxidation of acetaminophen and that GSH decreased polymerization by reducing the product, N-acetyl-p-benzosemiquinone imine, back to acetaminophen. Analyses of reaction mixtures that did not contain GSH showed N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine formation shortly after initiation of reactions. When GSH was added to similar reaction mixtures at various times, 3-(glutathion-S-yl)-acetaminophen was formed. The formation and disappearance of this product were very similar to N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine formation and were consistent with the disproportionation of 2 mol of N-acetyl-p-benzosemiquinone imine to 1 mol of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine and 1 mol of acetaminophen followed by the rapid reaction of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine with GSH to form 3-(glutathion-S-yl)acetaminophen. When acetaminophen was incubated with NADPH, oxygen and hepatic microsomes from phenobarbital-pretreated rats, 1.2 nmol 3-(glutathion-S-yl)acetaminophen/nmol cytochrome P-450/10 min was formed. Formation of polymers was not observed indicating that N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine was formed via an overall 2-electron oxidation rather than a disproportionation reaction. However, when cumene hydroperoxide was replaced by NADPH in microsomal incubations, polymerization was observed suggesting that cytochrome P-450 might also catalyze the 1-electron oxidation of acetaminophen.     

Reactions of glutathione and glutathione radicals with benzoquinones.

The reactions of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione radicals with a series of methyl-substituted 1,4-benzoquinones and 1,4-benzoquinone have been studied. It was found that by mixing excess benzoquinone with glutathione at pH above 6.5, the products formed were complex and unstable. All of the other experiments were carried out at pH 6.0, where the main product was stable for several hours. Stopped-flow analysis allowed the measurement of the rates of the rapid reactions between GSH and the quinones, and the products were monitored by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The rates of the reactions vary by five orders of magnitude and must be influenced by steric factors as well as changes in the redox states. It was observed that simple hydroquinones were not formed when the different benzoquinones were mixed with excess GSH and suggests that the initial reaction is addition/reduction rather than electron transfer. In the presence of excess quinone, the hydroquinone of the glutathione conjugate is oxidized back to its quinone. The rates of the reaction were measured. By using the technique of pulse radiolysis, it was possible to measure the reduction of the quinones by GSSG.- and the oxidation of hydroquinones by GS(.). It is proposed that the appearance of GSSG in reactions of quinones with glutathione could be due to oxidation of the hydroquinone by oxygen and the subsequent superoxide or H2O2 promoting the oxidation of GSH to GSSG.     

Glutathione oxidase activity of selenocystamine: a mechanistic study.

Selenocystamine (RSe-SeR) was shown to catalyze the oxygen-mediated oxidation of excess GSH to glutathione disulfide, at neutral pH and ambient PO2. This glutathione oxidase activity required the heterolytic reduction of the diselenide bond, which produced two equivalents of the selenolate derivative selenocysteamine (RSe-), via the transient formation of a selenenylsulfide intermediate (RSe-SG). Formation of RSe- was the only reaction observed in anaerobic conditions. At ambient PO2, the kinetics and stoichiometry of GSSG production as well as that of GSH and oxygen consumptions demonstrated that RSe- performed a three-step reduction of oxygen to water. The first step was a one-electron transfer from RSe- to dioxygen, yielding superoxide and a putative selenyl radical RSe., which decayed very rapidly to RSe-SeR. In the second step, RSe- reduced superoxide to hydrogen peroxide through a much faster one-electron transfer, also associated with the decay of RSe. to RSe-SeR. The third step was a two-electron transfer from RSe- to hydrogen peroxide, again much faster than oxygen reduction, which resulted in the production of RSe-SG, presumably via a selenenic acid intermediate (RSeOH) which was trapped by excess GSH. This third step was studied on exogenous hydroperoxide in anaerobic conditions, and it could be eliminated from the glutathione oxidase cycle in the presence of excess catalase. The role of RSe- as a one- and two-electron reductant was confirmed by competitive carboxymethylation with iodoacetate. RSe- was able to rapidly reduce ferric cytochrome c to its ferrous derivative. The overall rate of catalytic glutathione oxidation was GSH concentration dependent and oxygen concentration independent. Excess glutathione reductase and NADPH increased the catalytic oxidation of GSH, probably by switching the rate-limiting step from selenylsulfide to diselenide cleavage. When GSH was substituted for dithiothreitol, it was shown to reduce RSe-SeR to RSe- in a fast and quantitative reaction, and selenocystamine behaved as a dithiothreitol oxidase, whose catalytic cycle was dependent on oxygen concentration. The oxidase cycle of glutathione was inhibited by mercaptosuccinate, while that of dithiothreitol was not affected. When mercaptosuccinate was substituted for GSH, a stable selenenylsulfide was formed. These observations suggest that electrostatic interactions affect the reductive cleavage of diselenide and selenenylsulfide linkages. This study illustrates the ease of one-electron transfers from RSe- to a variety of reducible substrates. Such free radical mechanisms may explain much of the cytotoxicity of alkylselenols, and they demonstrate that selenocystamine is a poor catalytic model of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase.     

即时浸酸显著降低滞育家蚕卵的还原型与氧化型谷胱甘肽比值

即时浸酸在阻止家蚕Bombyx mori卵滞育发动的同时, 显著提高了家蚕卵H₂O₂含量。还原型谷胱甘肽（reduced glutathione, GSH）与氧化型谷胱甘肽（oxidized glutathione, GSSG）的比值是一种氧化胁迫状态的动态指标。为了调查即时浸酸是否造成滞育家蚕卵氧化胁迫, 本研究利用分光光度法分别测定了滞育家蚕卵和5 min即时浸酸滞育家蚕卵中GSH和GSSG含量以及谷胱甘肽转移酶（glutathione-S-transferase, GST）活性。结果表明: 处理后24 h, 即时浸酸处理家蚕卵的总谷胱甘肽（GSH+2GSSG）含量、 GSH含量、 GSSG含量、 GSH/GSSG比值和GST活性分别相当于同期滞育家蚕卵的204%, 78%, 550%, 14%和97%。据此推测, 即时浸酸在阻止滞育发动的同时, 可能通过促进GSH氧化为GSSG, 而显著降低了GSH/GSSG比值, 使家蚕卵处于过氧化状态。     

Phenoxyl free radical formation during the oxidation of the fluorescent dye 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein by horseradish peroxidase. Possible consequences for oxidative stress measurements.

The oxidation of the fluorescent dye 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) by horseradish peroxidase was investigated by optical absorption, electron spin resonance (ESR), and oxygen consumption measurements. Spectrophotometric measurements showed that DCF could be oxidized either by horseradish peroxidase-compound I or -compound II with the obligate generation of the DCF phenoxyl radical (DCF(.)). This one-electron oxidation was confirmed by ESR spin-trapping experiments. DCF(.) oxidizes GSH, generating the glutathione thiyl radical (GS(.)), which was detected by the ESR spin-trapping technique. In this case, oxygen was consumed by a sequence of reactions initiated by the GS(.) radical. Similarly, DCF(.) oxidized NADH, generating the NAD(.) radical that reduced oxygen to superoxide (O-(2)), which was also detected by the ESR spin-trapping technique. Superoxide dismutated to generate H(2)O(2), which reacted with horseradish peroxidase, setting up an enzymatic chain reaction leading to H(2)O(2) production and oxygen consumption. In contrast, when ascorbic acid reduced the DCF phenoxyl radical back to its parent molecule, it formed the unreactive ascorbate anion radical. Clearly, DCF catalytically stimulates the formation of reactive oxygen species in a manner that is dependent on and affected by various biochemical reducing agents. This study, together with our earlier studies, demonstrates that DCFH cannot be used conclusively to measure superoxide or hydrogen peroxide formation in cells undergoing oxidative stress.     

18O studies of the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of N-methylcarbazole. Mechanisms of carbinolamine and carboxaldehyde formation

Chloroperoxidase, horseradish peroxidase, hemoglobin, myoglobin, lactoperoxidase, and microperoxidase catalyzed the ethyl hydroperoxide-dependent oxidation of N-methylcarbazole to N-(hydroxymethyl)carbazole and N-formylcarbazole as major products. Mass spectral analysis of the N-(hydroxymethyl)carbazole formed during the peroxidase-catalyzed N-demethylation of N-methylcarbazole in 18O-enriched medium indicated partial incorporation (7.5-25.9%) of solvent water oxygen into the carbinolamine intermediate in all systems investigated, suggesting that the peroxidase active site is partially accessible to solvent water during N-demethylation. In contrast, solvent water oxygen was not incorporated into the N-formylcarbazole formed during the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of N-methylcarbazole. N-(Hydroxymethyl)carbazole was not further metabolized by the peroxidases in the presence of ethyl hydroperoxide, indicating that it is not an intermediate in N-formylcarbazole formation. The horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed formation of N-formylcarbazole was decreased by 77% when the hydroperoxide-supported reactions were carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere, while the formation of N-(hydroxymethyl)carbazole was decreased by 46%. When the horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed reactions were carried out in a 18O2 atmosphere, 18O incorporation into N-(hydroxymethyl)carbazole was 64.4% of the total oxygen, while 81.8% of the oxygen incorporated into N-formylcarbazole came from 18O2. These results suggest that there are two different mechanisms for the formation of N-(hydroxymethyl)carbazole, both involving the initial oxidation of N-methylcarbazole to a neutral carbon-centered radical. The radical can be further oxidized in the enzyme active site to an iminium cation, which reacts with water derived from either the oxidant or the medium to form the carbinolamine. Alternatively, the substrate radical can react with molecular oxygen to form a hydroperoxy radical, which decomposes to form the carboxaldehyde and carbinolamine.     

Author index to volume 154

Horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed N-demethylation of aminopyrine and dimethylaniline results in generation of free radical intermediates which can interact with glutathione (GSH) to form a glutathione radical. This can either dimerize to yield glutathione disulfide or react with O₂ to form oxygenated products of glutathione. Ethylmorphine is not a substrate in the peroxidase-mediated reaction, and free radical intermediates which react with GSH, are not formed from aminopyrine and dimethylaniline when the horseradish peroxidase/H₂O₂ system is replaced by liver microsomes and NADPH. Therefore, it appears unlikely that formation of free radical intermediates can be responsible for the depletion of GSH observed during N-demethylation of several drugs in isolated liver cells.     

Glutathionyl- and hydroxyl radical formation coupled to the redox transitions of 1,4-naphthoquinone bioreductive alkylating agents during glutathione two-electron reductive addition.

The kinetic parameters of the redox transitions subsequent to the two-electron transfer implied in the glutathione (GSH) reductive addition to 2- and 6-hydroxymethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone bioalkylating agents were examined in terms of autoxidation, GSH consumption in the arylation reaction, oxidation of the thiol to glutathione disulfide (GSSG), and free radical formation detected by the spin-trapping electron spin resonance method. The position of the hydroxymethyl substituent in either the benzenoid or the quinonoid ring differentially influenced the initial rates of hydroquinone autoxidation as well as thiol oxidation. Thus, GSSG- and hydrogen peroxide formation during the GSH reductive addition to 6-hydroxymethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone proceeded at rates substantially higher than those observed with the 2-hydroxymethyl derivative. The distribution and concentration of molecular end products, however, was the same for both quinones, regardless of the position of the hydroxymethyl substituent. The [O2]consumed/[GSSG]formed ratio was above unity in both cases, thus indicating the occurrence of autoxidation reactions other than those involved during GSSG formation. EPR studies using the spin probe 5,5'-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) suggested that the oxidation of GSH coupled to the above redox transitions involved the formation of radicals of differing structure, such as hydroxyl and thiyl radicals. These were identified as the corresponding DMPO adducts. The detection of either DMPO adduct depended on the concentration of GSH in the reaction mixture: the hydroxyl radical adduct of DMPO prevailed at low GSH concentrations, whereas the thiyl radical adduct of DMPO prevailed at high GSH concentrations. The production of the former adduct was sensitive to catalase, whereas that of the latter was sensitive to superoxide dismutase as well as to catalase. The relevance of free radical formation coupled to thiol oxidation is discussed in terms of the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the reactions involved as well as in terms of potential implications in quinone cytotoxicity.