Protein damage and degradation by oxygen radicals. I. general aspects

Aggregation, fragmentation, amino acid modification, and proteolytic susceptibility have been studied following exposure of 17 proteins to oxygen radicals. The hydroxyl radical (.OH) produced covalently bound protein aggregates, but few or no fragmentation products. Extensive changes in net electrical charge (both + and -) were observed. Tryptophan was rapidly lost with .OH exposure, and significant production of bityrosine biphenol occurred. When incubated with cell-free extracts of human and rabbit erythrocytes, rabbit reticulocytes, or Escherichia coli, most .OH-modified proteins were proteolytically degraded up to 50 times faster than untreated proteins. The exceptions were alpha-casein and globin, which were rapidly degraded without .OH modification. ATP did not stimulate the degradation of .OH-modified proteins, but alpha-casein was more rapidly degraded. Leupeptin had little effect under any condition, and degradation was maximal at pH 7.8. The data indicate that proteins which have been denatured by .OH can be recognized and degraded rapidly and selectively by intracellular proteolytic systems. In both red blood cells and E. coli, the degradation appears to be conducted by soluble, ATP-independent (nonlysosomal) proteolytic enzymes. In contrast with the above results, superoxide (O2-) did not cause aggregation or fragmentation, tryptophan loss, or bityrosine production. The combination of .OH + O2- (+O2), which may mimic biological exposure to oxygen radicals, induced charge changes, tryptophan loss, and bityrosine production. The pattern of such changes was similar to that seen with .OH alone, although the extent was generally less severe. In contrast with .OH alone, however, .OH + O2- (+O2) caused extensive protein fragmentation and little or no aggregation. More than 98% of the protein fragments had molecular weights greater than 5000 and formed clusters of ionic and hydrophobic bonds which could be dispersed by denaturing agents. The results indicate a general sensitivity of proteins to oxygen radicals. Oxidative modification can involve direct fragmentation or may provide denatured substrates for intracellular proteolysis.     

Protein damage and degradation by oxygen radicals. III. Modification of secondary and tertiary structure

Proteins which have been exposed to the hydroxyl radical (.OH) or to the combination of .OH plus the superoxide anion radical and oxygen (.OH + O2- + O2) exhibit altered primary structure and increased proteolytic susceptibility. The present work reveals that alterations to primary structure result in gross distortions of secondary and tertiary structure. Denaturation/increased hydrophobicity of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by .OH, or by .OH + O2- + O2 was maximal at a radical/BSA molar ratio of 24 (all .OH or 50% .OH + 50% O2-). BSA exposed to .OH also underwent progressive covalent cross-linking to form dimers, trimers, and tetramers, partially due to the formation of intermolecular bityrosine. In contrast, .OH + O2- + O2 caused spontaneous BSA fragmentation. Fragmentation of BSA produced new carbonyl groups with no apparent increase in free amino groups. Fragmentation may involve reaction of (.OH-induced) alpha-carbon radicals with O2 to form peroxyl radicals which decompose to fragment the polypeptide chain at the alpha-carbon, rather than at peptide bonds. BSA fragments induced by .OH + O2- + O2 exhibited molecular weights of 7,000-60,000 following electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, but could be visualized as hydrophobic aggregates in nondenaturing gels (confirmed with [3H]BSA following treatment with urea or acid). Combinations of various chemical radical scavengers (mannitol, urate, t-butyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol) and gases (N2O, O2, N2) revealed that .OH is the primary species responsible for alteration of BSA secondary and tertiary structure. Oxygen, and O2- serve only to modify the outcome of .OH reaction. Furthermore, direct studies of O2- + O2 (in the absence of .OH) revealed no measurable changes in BSA structure. The process of denaturation/increased hydrophobicity was found to precede either covalent cross-linking (by .OH) or fragmentation (by .OH + O2- + O2). Denaturation was half-maximal at a radical/BSA molar ratio of 9.6, whereas half-maximal aggregation or fragmentation occurred at a ratio of 19.4. Denaturation/hydrophobicity may hold important clues for the mechanism(s) by which oxygen radicals can increase proteolytic susceptibility.     

Protein damage and degradation by oxygen radicals. IV. Degradation of denatured protein

Proteolytic degradation of oxidatively damaged [3H] bovine serum albumin [( 3H]BSA) was studied during incubation with cell-free erythrocyte extracts and a wide variety (14) of purified proteases. [3H]BSA was pretreated by exposure (60Co radiation) to the hydroxyl radical (.OH), the superoxide anion radical (O2-), or the combination of .OH + O2- + oxygen. Treated (and untreated) samples were dialyzed and then incubated with erythrocyte extract or proteases for measurements of proteolytic susceptibility (release of acid-soluble counts). Both .OH and .OH + O2- + caused severalfold increases in proteolytic susceptibility (with extract and proteases), but O2- alone had no effect. Proteolytic susceptibility reached a maximum at 15 nmol of .OH/nmol of BSA and declined thereafter. In contrast, proteolytic susceptibility was still increasing at an .OH + O2-/BSA molar ratio of 100 (50% .OH + 50% O2-). Degradation in erythrocyte extracts was conducted by a novel ATP- and Ca2+-independent pathway, with maximal activity at pH 7.8. Inhibitor profiles indicate that this pathway may involve metalloproteases and serine proteases. Comparisons of proteolytic susceptibility with multiple modifications to BSA primary, secondary, and tertiary structure revealed a high correlation (r = 0.98) with denaturation/increased hydrophobicity by low concentrations of .OH. Covalent aggregation reactions (BSA cross-linking) may explain the declining proteolytic susceptibility observed at .OH/BSA molar ratios greater than 20. Protein denaturation may also have caused the increased proteolytic susceptibility induced by .OH + O2- + O2, but no simple correlation could be obtained. Results with .OH + O2- + O2 appear to have been complicated by direct BSA fragmentation reactions involving (.OH-induced) protein radicals and oxygen. These data indicate a direct and quantitative relationship between protein damage by oxygen radicals and increased proteolytic susceptibility. Oxidative denaturation may exemplify a simple, yet effective inherent mechanism for intracellular proteolysis.     

Oxidative damage to fibronectin. II. The effect of H2O2 and the hydroxyl radical.

The effect of H2O2 and the hydroxyl radical (.OH) on fibronectin was investigated. .OH was generated in three ways: (i) by radiolysis with 60Co under N2O, or by the Fenton system using either (ii) equimolar Fe(2+)-EDTA and H2O2 or (iii) H2O2 and catalytic amounts of Fe(2+)-EDTA recycled with ascorbate. Each system had a different effect. H2O2 alone caused no changes, even at an 800-fold molar excess. Radiolytic .OH caused a rapid loss of tryptophan fluorescence, an increase in bityrosine fluorescence, and extensive crosslinking. The Fenton system using Fe-EDTA, H2O2, and ascorbate caused a loss in tryptophan fluorescence, a smaller increase in bityrosine than was seen with radiolytic .OH, and a threefold increase in carbonyl groups. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis fragmentation of fibronectin was seen. In contrast, when .OH was generated with equimolar Fe-EDTA and H2O2, the only change was a small increase in bityrosine fluorescence at the highest dose of oxidant. None of the systems used affected cysteine. All the changes except the loss of tryptophan by radiolytic .OH were completely inhibited with mannitol. The differences seen with radiolytic .OH and the Fe-EDTA, H2O2, ascorbate system were not solely due to O2 in the latter system since similar results were obtained under N2. The differences between radiolytic .OH and the Fenton systems could be partly due to the components of the latter systems reacting with .OH and thus competing with fibronectin. Our results demonstrate that the extent and type of fibronectin damage by .OH is dependent on the mode of radical generation.     

Protein damage by photoproducts of merocyanine 540.

Exposure of certain photoactive dyes to light prior to their use in biological systems (preactivation) has been shown to result in formation of long-lived cytotoxic photoproducts. The cytotoxic species responsible for the biological activity of preactivated merocyanine 540 (pMC540) appears to be a hydroperoxide generated by oxidation of ground-state dye by singlet molecular oxygen, formed via energy transfer from triplet excited-state dye to oxygen. A positive correlation (r = .93) exists between the levels of hydroperoxides and percent of tumor cells killed upon exposure to pMC540. Exposure of bovine serum albumin (BSA) (0.5 mg/mL) to pMC540 (0.2 mg/mL-1 mg/mL) results in loss of tryptophan fluorescence and 345 nm emission, suggesting a probable role of either hydroxyl (.OH) or .OH + superoxide (O2-). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates fragmentation of treated BSA. Aggregation of pMC540-treated BSA is not detected. Bityrosine production is not observed. A dose-dependent decrease in BSA solubility is observed in treated samples, suggesting an increase in hydrophobicity. Amino acid analysis of BSA treated with pMC540 shows loss of some amino acids residues. The data presented here suggest that photoproducts of MC540 derived via the process of preactivation may mediate their effect (at least in part) by reactive oxygen species.     

Fragmentation of proteins by free radicals and its effect on their susceptibility to enzymic hydrolysis.

Defined radical species generated radiolytically were allowed to attack proteins in solution. The hydroxyl radical (OH.) in the presence of O2 degraded bovine serum albumin (BSA) to specific fragments detectable by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis; fragmentation was not obvious when the products were analysed by h.p.l.c. In the absence of O2 the OH. cross-linked the protein with bonds stable to SDS and reducing conditions. The superoxide (O2-.) and hydroperoxyl (HO2.) radicals were virtually inactive in these respects, as were several other peroxyl radicals. Fragmentation and cross-linking could also be observed when a mixture of biosynthetically labelled cellular proteins was used as substrate. Carbonyl and amino groups were generated during the reaction of OH. with BSA in the presence of O2. Changes in fluorescence during OH. attack in the absence of O2 revealed both loss of tryptophan and changes in conformation during OH. attack in the presence of O2. Increased susceptibility to enzymic proteolysis was observed when BSA was attacked by most radical systems, with the sole exception of O2-.. The transition-metal cations Cu2+ and Fe3+, in the presence of H2O2, could also fragment BSA. The reactions were inhibited by EDTA, or by desferal and diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid ('DETAPAC') respectively. The increased susceptibility to enzymic hydrolysis of radical-damaged proteins may have biological significance.     

Antimicrotubular drugs binding to vinca domain of tubulin

The effect of oxidative stress on the Ca²⁺-ATPase activity, lipid peroxidation and protein modification of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes was investigated. Isolated SR vesicles were exposed to FeSO₄/EDTA (0.2 mol Fe²⁺ per mg of protein) at 37°C for 1 h in the presence or absence of antioxidants. FeSO₄/EDTA decreased the maximum velocity of Ca²⁺-ATPase reaction without a change of affinity for Ca²⁺ or Hill coefficient. Treatment with radical-generating system led also to conjugated diene formation, loss of sulfhydryl groups, changes in tryptophan and bityrosine fluorescences and to production of lysine conjugates with lipid peroxidation end-products. Lipid antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and stobadine partially prevented inhibition of Ca²⁺-ATPase and decrease in tryptophan fluorescence, while the loss of –SH groups and formation of bityrosines or lysine conjugates were completely prevented. Glutathione also partially protected Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and decreased formation of bityrosine, but it was not able to prevent oxidative modification of tryptophan and lysine. These findings suggest that combination of amino acid modifications, rather than oxidation of amino acids of one kind, is responsible for inhibition of SR Ca²⁺-ATPase activity.     

Oxidative damage to bovine serum albumin induced by hydroxyl radical generating systems of xanthine oxidase + EDTA-Fe3+ and ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+.

Oxidative damage to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was induced by hydroxyl radical (HO.) generating systems of xanthine oxidase (XO) + EDTA-Fe3+ and ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+. Formation of bityrosine and loss of tryptophan were observed in the ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+ system and carbonyl formation was induced by both systems. Mannitol and ethanol very strongly inhibited the carbonyl and/or bityrosine formation, indicating that the oxidative damage to BSA was due to HO(.). The sulfhydryl (SH) groups of BSA were very sensitive to the XO + EDTA-Fe3+ but not to the ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+ system. Catalase but not hydroxyl radical scavengers or superoxide dismutase strongly inhibited the loss of SH groups, indicating that H2O2 is involved in their oxidation. Fragmentation of BSA was observed during exposure to the XO + EDTA-Fe3+ and ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+ systems and the products presented a broad band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Little formation of amine groups was observed in these systems, indicating that little peptide bond cleavage occurred. BSA exposed to the ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+ system was more readily degraded by trypsin than that exposed to the XO + EDTA-Fe3+ system. Elastase degraded BSA exposed to the ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+ system but not to the XO + EDTA-Fe3+ system.     

The oxidative inactivation of mitochondrial electron transport chain components and ATPase

Bovine heart submitochondrial particles (SMP) were exposed to continuous fluxes of hydroxyl radical (.OH) alone, superoxide anion radical (O2-) alone, or mixtures of .OH and O2-, by gamma radiolysis in the presence of 100% N2O (.OH exposure), 100% O2 + formate (O2- exposure), or 100% O2 alone (.OH + O2- exposure). Hydrogen peroxide effects were studied by addition of pure H2O2. NADH dehydrogenase, NADH oxidase, succinate dehydrogenase, succinate oxidase, and ATPase activities (Vmax) were rapidly inactivated by .OH (10% inactivation at 15-40 nmol of .OH/mg of SMP protein, 50-90% inactivation at 600 nmol of .OH/mg of SMP protein) and by .OH + O2- (10% inactivation at 20-80 nmol of .OH + O2-/mg of SMP protein, 45-75% inactivation at 600 nmol of .OH + O2-/mg of SMP protein). Importantly, O2- was a highly efficient inactivator of NADH dehydrogenase, NADH oxidase, and ATPase (10% inactivation at 20-50 nmol of O2-/mg of SMP protein, 40% inactivation at 600 nmol of O2-/mg of SMP protein), a mildly efficient inactivator of succinate dehydrogenase (10% inactivation at 150 nmol of O2-/mg of SMP protein, 30% inactivation at 600 nmol of O2-/mg of SMP protein), and a poor inactivator of succinate oxidase (less than 10% inactivation at 600 nmol of O2-/mg of SMP protein). H2O2 partially inactivated NADH dehydrogenase, NADH oxidase, and cytochrome oxidase, but even 10% loss of these activities required at least 500-600 nmol of H2O2/mg of SMP protein. Cytochrome oxidase activity (oxygen consumption supported by ascorbate + N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine) was remarkably resistant to oxidative inactivation, with less than 20% loss of activity evident even at .OH, O2-, OH + O2-, or H2O2 concentrations of 600 nmol/mg of SMP protein. Cytochrome c oxidase activity, however (oxidation of, added, ferrocytochrome c), exhibited more than a 40% inactivation at 600 nmol of .OH/mg of SMP protein. The .OH-dependent inactivations reported above were largely inhibitable by the .OH scavenger mannitol. In contrast, the O2(-)-dependent inactivations were inhibited by active superoxide dismutase, but not by denatured superoxide dismutase or catalase. Membrane lipid peroxidation was evident with .OH exposure but could be prevented by various lipid-soluble antioxidants which did not protect enzymatic activities at all.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Light generation with Fenton's reagent. Its relationship to granulocyte chemiluminescence.

A simple chemical system consisting of FeSO4 and H2O2 (Fenton's reagent) was shown to emit light (chemiluminescence). The addition of tryptophan to the reaction markedly enhanced light production. Very little chemiluminescence was observed when H2O2 was omitted from the reaction and when ferric, instead of ferrous, ions were used. Hydroxyl radical (OH.) and singlet oxygen (1 deltagO2) quenchers suppressed chemiluminescence of the FeSO4 + tryptophan + H2O2 system; and, deuterium oxide (2H2O) enhanced chemiluminescence of both FeSO4 reactions. These observations suggest that a radical chain reaction involving both OH. and 1 deltag O2 is responsible for the chemiluminescent reactions. Six iron-containing proteins, some of which are located within granulocytes, all emitted light in the presence of H2O2. Since iron and H2O2 are present in metabolically stimulated granulocytes, it is likely that chemiluminescent reactions similar to the ones demonstrated in this study account for part of the chemiluminescence of activated granulocytes.