Nitrosative stress inhibits the aminophospholipid translocase resulting in phosphatidylserine externalization and macrophage engulfment: implications for the resolution of inflammation

Macrophage recognition of apoptotic cells depends on externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS), which is normally maintained within the cytosolic leaflet of the plasma membrane by aminophospholipid translocase (APLT). APLT is sensitive to redox modifications of its -SH groups. Because activated macrophages produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, we hypothesized that macrophages can directly participate in apoptotic cell clearance by S-nitrosylation/oxidation and inhibition of APLT causing PS externalization. Here we report that exposure of target HL-60 cells to nitrosative stress inhibited APLT, induced PS externalization, and enhanced recognition and elimination of "nitrosatively" modified cells by RAW 264.7 macrophages. Using S-nitroso-L-cysteine-ethyl ester (SNCEE) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) that cause intracellular and extracellular trans-nitrosylation of proteins, respectively, we found that SNCEE (but not GSNO) caused significant S-nitrosylation/oxidation of thiols in HL-60 cells. SNCEE also strongly inhibited APLT, activated scramblase, and caused PS externalization. However, SNCEE did not induce caspase activation or nuclear condensation/fragmentation suggesting that PS externalization was dissociated from the common apoptotic pathway. Dithiothreitol reversed SNCEE-induced S-nitrosylation, APLT inhibition, and PS externalization. SNCEE but not GSNO stimulated phagocytosis of HL-60 cells. Moreover, phagocytosis of target cells by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages was significantly suppressed by an NO. scavenger, DAF-2. Thus, macrophage-induced nitrosylation/oxidation plays an important role in cell clearance, and hence in the resolution of inflammation.     

Kinetics of Catalase Inactivation Induced by Ultrasonic Cavitation

Kinetic patterns of sonication-induced inactivation of bovine liver catalase (CAT) were studied in buffer solutions (pH 4.0–11.0) within the temperature range from 36 to 55^o. Solutions of CAT were exposed to LF (20.8 kHz) ultrasound (specific power, 48–62 W/cm²). The kinetics of CAT inactivation was characterized by effective first-order rate constants (s^–1) of total inactivation (k _in), thermal inactivation (*k _in), and ultrasonic inactivation (k _in(us)). In all cases, the following inequality was valid: k _in > *k _in. The value of k _in(us) increased with the ultrasound power (range, 48–62 W/cm²) and exhibited a strong dependence on the pH of the medium. On increasing initial concentration of CAT (0.4–4.0 nM), k _in(us) decreased. The three rate constants were minimum within the range pH 6.5–8.0; their values increased considerably at pH < 6.0 and pH > 9.0. At 36–55^o, the temperature dependence of k _in(us) was characterized by an activation energy (E _act) of 19.7 kcal/mol, whereas the value of E _act for CAT thermoinactivation was equal to 44.2 kcal/mol. Bovine and human serum albumins (BSA and HSA, respectively) inhibited sonication-induced CAT inactivation; complete prevention was observed at concentrations above 2.5 g/ml. Dimethyl formamide (DMFA), a scavenger of hydroxyl radicals (O ), prevented sonication-induced CAT inactivation at 10% (k _in and *k _in increased with the content of DMFA at concentrations in excess of 3%). The results obtained indicate that free radicals generated in the field of ultrasonic cavitation play a decisive role in the inactivation of CAT, which takes place when its solutions are exposed to low-frequency ultrasound. However, the efficiency of CAT inactivation by the radicals is determined by (1) the degree of association between the enzyme molecules in the reaction medium and (2) the composition thereof.     

Comparative study of antioxidant properties and cytoprotective activity of flavonoids

Antioxidant properties and cytoprotective activity of flavonoids (rutin, dihydroquercetin, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG)) were studied. All these compounds inhibited both NADPH- and CCl₄-dependent microsomal lipid peroxidation, and the catechins were the most effective antioxidants. The I ₅₀ values calculated for these compounds by regression analysis were close to the I ₅₀ value of the standard synthetic antioxidant ionol (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol). The antiradical activity of flavonoids to O ₂ was studied in a model photochemical system. Rate constants of the second order reaction obtained by competitive kinetics suggested flavonoids to be more effective scavengers of oxygen anion-radicals than ascorbic acid. By competitive replacement all flavonoids studied were shown to be chelating agents capable of producing stable complexes with transition metal ions (Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺). The flavonoids protected macrophages from asbestos-induced damage, and the protective effect increased in the following series: rutin < dihydroquercetin < quercetin < ECG < EGCG. The cytoprotective effect of flavonoids was in strong positive correlation with their antiradical activity to O ₂ .     

4-(4-R-phenylamino)-5-methoxy-1,2-benzoquinones are new selective inhibitors of carbon tetrachloride-initiated free radical reactions in liver.

The action of several 1,2-benzoquinone derivatives on free radical processes initiated by carbon tetrachloride was studied. Among them a substance that effectively inhibited lipid peroxidation without substantial influence on covalent binding of radical products of metabolic cleavage of carbon tetrachloride as well a substance that equally inhibited both processes were found. It was shown that 1,2-benzoquinones can be useful tool for investigation of free radical mechanisms of carbon tetrachloride-initiated liver cell damage in vivo.     

Ultrasonic and thermal inactivation of catalases from the bovine liver, the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, and the fungus Penicillium piceum

The kinetics of inactivation of catalases from bovine liver (CAT), the fungus Penicillium piceum (CAT1), and the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris (CAT2) was studied in phosphate buffer (pH 5.5 or 7.4) at 45 and 50 degrees C or under the conditions of exposure to low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS; 27 kHz, 60 W/cm2). The processes were characterized by effective first-order rate constants (s(-1)): kin (total inactivation), k*in in (thermal inactivation), and k*in (us) (ultrasonic inactivation). The values of kin and k*in increased in the following order: CAT1 < CAT < CAT2. CD spectra of the enzyme solutions were recorded in the course of inactivation by high temperatures (45 and 50 degrees C) and LFUS, and the ratios of secondary structures were calculated. Processes of thermal and ultrasonic inactivation of catalases were associated with a decrease in the content of alpha helices and an increase in that of antiparallel beta structures and irregular regions (CAT1 < CAT < CAT2). We conclude that the enzymes exhibit the following rank order of resistance: CAT1 > CAT >CAT2. Judging from the characteristics of CAT1, it appears to be an optimum component for antioxidant enzyme complexes.     

Ultrasonic and Thermal Inactivation of Catalases from Bovine Liver,the Methylotrophic Yeast Pichia pastoris,and the Fungus Penicillium piceum

The kinetics of inactivation of catalases from bovine liver (CAT), the fungus Penicillium piceum (CAT1), and the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris (CAT2) was studied in phosphate buffer (pH 5.5 or 7.4) at 45 and 50°C or under the conditions of exposure to low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS; 27 kHz, 60 W/cm²). The processes were characterized by effective first-order rate constants (s^?1): k _in (total inactivation), k ^*_in (thermal inactivation), and k ^*_in (us) (ultrasonic inactivation). The values of k _in and k ^*_in increased in the following order: CAT1 < CAT < CAT2. Circular dichroic spectra of the enzyme solutions were recorded in the course of inactivation by high temperatures (45 and 50°C ) and LFUS, and the contents of secondary structures were calculated. Processes of thermal and ultrasonic inactivation of catalases were associated with a decrease in the content of α helices and an increase in that of antiparallel β structures and irregular regions (CAT1 < CAT < CAT2). We conclude that the enzymes exhibit the following rank order of resistance: CAT1 > CAT > CAT2. Judging from the characteristics of CAT1, it appears to be an optimum component for antioxidant enzyme complexes.

     

Experimental evidence that flavonoid metal complexes may act as mimics of superoxide dismutase

Radical scavenging activities of flavonoids rutin, taxifolin, (-)-epicatechin, luteolin, and their complexes with transition metal (Fe2+, Fe3+, and Cu2+) towards superoxide were determined using illumination of riboflavin as source and NBT as detector of O*2-. The scavenger potencies of flavonoid metal complexes were significantly higher than those of the parent flavonoids. To elucidate the mechanism of this phenomenon, the rates of superoxide-dependent oxidation of flavonoids and their metal complexes in photochemical system with riboflavin were examined. It was found for the first time that flavonoids bound to metal ions were much less subjected to oxidation compared with those of free compounds. The findings directly demonstrate superoxide scavenging activity of metal ions in complexes with flavonoids and support earlier suggestions that flavonoid metal complexes may exhibit superoxide dismuting activity.     

Peroxidase activity and structural transitions of cytochrome c bound to cardiolipin-containing membranes

During apoptosis, cytochrome c (cyt c) is released from intermembrane space of mitochondria into the cytosol where it triggers the caspase-dependent machinery. We discovered that cyt c plays another critical role in early apoptosis as a cardiolipin (CL)-specific oxygenase to produce CL hydroperoxides required for release of pro-apoptotic factors [Kagan, V. E., et al. (2005) Nat. Chem. Biol. 1, 223-232]. We quantitatively characterized the activation of peroxidase activity of cyt c by CL and hydrogen peroxide. At low ionic strength and high CL/cyt c ratios, peroxidase activity of the CL/cyt c complex was increased >50 times. This catalytic activity correlated with partial unfolding of cyt c monitored by Trp(59) fluorescence and absorbance at 695 nm (Fe-S(Met(80)) band). The peroxidase activity increase preceded the loss of protein tertiary structure. Monounsaturated tetraoleoyl-CL (TOCL) induced peroxidase activity and unfolding of cyt c more effectively than saturated tetramyristoyl-CL (TMCL). TOCL/cyt c complex was found more resistant to dissociation by high salt concentration. These findings suggest that electrostatic CL/cyt c interactions are central to the initiation of the peroxidase activity, while hydrophobic interactions are involved when cyt c's tertiary structure is lost. In the presence of CL, cyt c peroxidase activity is activated at lower H(2)O(2) concentrations than for isolated cyt c molecules. This suggests that redistribution of CL in the mitochondrial membranes combined with increased production of H(2)O(2) can switch on the peroxidase activity of cyt c and CL oxidation in mitochondria-a required step in execution of apoptosis.     

Effect of herbicide tralkoxydim and 2-acylcyclohexane-1,3-diones on peroxidase activity

Effect of 2-acylcyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives (tralkoxydim and its diketone precursors) on peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), o-phenylenediamine (PDA), and the phenol-4-aminoantipyrine (4-AAP) couple has been studied. This effect varies from horseradish peroxidase (HRP) inactivation to activation in the reactions of peroxidation ofTMB, PDA, and, to a lesser extent, the phenol-4-AAP couple. The diketone-mediated HRP activation depends strongly on pH, presence of dimethylformamide, the structures of tralkoxydim and other diketones, and the substrate nature. The type of activation in the course of peroxidation with the presence of tralkoxydim can be noncompetitive (PDA and TMB) or mixed (TMB) depending on conditions. The maximal level of the HRP activation mediated by diketones depends on their structure. It can reach 4000% of the initial HRP-catalyzed peroxidation rate for TMB and ca. 1000% for PDA. A test system is proposed for quantitative tralkoxydim assay at millimolar concentration. It includes HRP and TMB as the substrate with spectrometrical monitoring of the TMB peroxidation product at 655 nm.     

Effect of herbicide tralkoxydim and 2-acylcyclohexane-1,3-diones on peroxidase activity

Effect of 2-acylcyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives (tralkoxydim and its diketone precursors) on peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), o-phenylenediamine (PDA), and the phenol-4-aminoantipyrine (4-AAP) couple has been studied. This effect varies from horseradish peroxidase (HRP) inactivation to activation in the reactions of peroxidation of TMB, PDA, and, to a lesser extent, the phenol-4-AAP couple. The diketone-mediated HRP activation depends strongly on pH, presence of dimethylformamide, the structures of tralkoxydim and other diketones, and the substrate nature. The type of activation in the course of peroxidation with the presence of tralkoxydim can be noncompetitive (PDA and TMB) or mixed (TMB) depending on conditions. The maximal level of the HRP activation mediated by diketones depends on their structure. It can reach 4000% of the initial HRP-catalyzed peroxidation rate for TMB and ca. 1000% for PDA. A test system is proposed for quantitative tralkoxydim assay at millimolar concentration. It includes HRP and TMB as the substrate with spectrometrical monitoring of the TMB peroxidation product at 655 nm.