Pyrroloquinoline Quinone is a Potent Neuroprotective Nutrient Against 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Neurotoxicity

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), which is an essential nutrient, has been shown to act as an antioxidant. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are thought to be responsible for neurotoxicity caused by the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In this study, we investigated the ability of PQQ to protect against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y. When SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to 6-OHDA in the presence of PQQ, PQQ prevented 6-OHDA-induced cell death and DNA fragmentation. Flow cytometry analysis using the ROS-sensitive fluorescence probe, dihydroethidium, revealed that PQQ reduced elevation of 6-OHDA-induced intracellular ROS. In contrast to PQQ, antioxidant vitamins, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol, had no protective effect. Moreover, we showed that PQQ effectively scavenged superoxide, compared to the antioxidant vitamins. Therefore, our results suggest the protective effect of PQQ on 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity is involved, at least in part, in its function as a scavenger of ROS, especially superoxide.     

Pyrroloquinoline quinone stimulates epithelial cell proliferation by activating epidermal growth factor receptor through redox cycling

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a redox cofactor for bacterial dehydrogenases, has been implicated to be an important nutrient in mammals functioning as a potent growth factor. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated. The present study revealed that PQQ induces the activation (tyrosine autophosphorylation) of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream signaling in a ligand-independent manner, leading to increased cellular proliferation in an epithelial cell line A431. PQQ inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), which negatively regulates the EGFR signaling by tyrosine dephosphorylation, to oxidatively modify the catalytic cysteine through its redox cycling activity to generate H(2)O(2). PQQ-inducible intracellular ROS production and EGFR activation were significantly suppressed by the pre-treatment with antioxidants. The intracellular redox state regulates the EGFR signaling through the redox-sensitive catalytic cysteine of PTP1B and modulates cell proliferation. Our data suggest that PQQ may stimulate epithelial cell proliferation by activating EGFR by oxidation and subsequent inactivation of PTP1B via its redox cycling. Our results provide novel insight into the mechanisms by which PQQ may function as a growth factor to contribute to mammalian growth.     

Pyrroloquinoline quinone biosynthesis in Escherichia coli through expression of the Gluconobacter oxydans pqqABCDE gene cluster

We have expressed the pqqABCDE gene cluster from Gluconobacter oxydans, which is involved in pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) biosynthesis, in Escherichia coli, resulting in PQQ accumulation in the medium. Since the gene cluster does not include the tldD gene needed for PQQ production, this result suggests that the E. coli tldD gene, which shows high homology to the G. oxydans tldD gene, carries out that function. The synthesis of PQQ activated d-glucose dehydrogenase in E. coli and the growth of the recombinant was improved. In an attempt to increase the production of PQQ, which acts as a vitamin or growth factor, we transformed E. coli with various recombinant plasmids, resulting in the overproduction of the PQQ synthesis enzymes and, consequently, PQQ accumulation—up to 6 mM—in the medium. This yield is 21.5-fold higher than that obtained in previous studies.     

Detection of the cofactor pyrroloquinoline quinone

In order to demonstrate the presence or absence of a pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) synthesizing capacity in microorganisms, we have found that media and equipment must be treated to remove contaminating PQQ. Procedures are described which appear to be effective for that purpose. These have been used with Acinetobacter calcoaceticus PQQ- strains to develop a sensitive and reliable assay for PQQ. They also have been used to show that under our conditions of growth Escherichia coli does not synthesize PQQ. Fluorescence spectroscopy is not selective enough to detect PQQ in a protein hydrolysate due to background fluorescence in the same spectral regions as PQQ. In addition, PQQ reacts with amino acids to give products that cannot be detected by either fluorescence spectroscopy or biological assay. In this regard, claims that several materials originating from plants or animals contain PQQ should be reexamined. Moreover, PQQ cannot be detected with these methods in hydrolysates of enzymes containing covalently bound PQQ.     

Structural studies of mutant forms of the PQQ‐forming enzyme PqqC in the presence of product and substrate

Pyrroloquinoline quinone [4,5‐dihydro‐4,5‐dioxo‐1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐f]quinoline‐2,7,9‐tricarboxylic acid (PQQ)] is a bacterial cofactor in numerous alcohol dehydrogenases including methanol dehydrogenase and glucose dehydrogenase. Its biosynthesis in Klebsiella pneumoniae is facilitated by six genes, pqqABCDEF and proceeds by an unknown pathway. PqqC is one of two metal free oxidases of known structure and catalyzes the last step of PQQ biogenesis which involves a ring closure and an eight‐electron oxidation of the substrate [3a‐(2‐amino‐2‐carboxyethyl)‐4,5‐dioxo‐4,5,6,7,8,9‐hexahydroquinoline‐7,9‐dicarboxylic acid (AHQQ)]. PqqC has 14 conserved active site residues, which have previously been shown to be in close contact with bound PQQ. Herein, we describe the structures of three PqqC active site variants, H154S, Y175F, and the double mutant R179S/Y175S. The H154S crystal structure shows that, even with PQQ bound, the enzyme is still in the “open” conformation with helices α5b and α6 unfolded and the active site solvent accessible. The Y175F PQQ complex crystal structure reveals the closed conformation indicating that Y175 is not required for the conformational change. The R179S/Y175S AHQQ complex crystal structure is the most mechanistically informative, indicating an open conformation with a reaction intermediate trapped in the active site. The intermediate seen in R179S/Y175S is tricyclic but nonplanar, implying that it has not undergone oxidation. These studies implicate a stepwise process in which substrate binding leads to the generation of the closed protein conformation, with the latter playing a critical role in O₂ binding and catalysis. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

吡咯喹啉醌生物合成研究进展

吡咯喹啉醌(PQQ)是一种较新近发现的氧化还原酶的辅酶,对微生物及动植物均具有重要生理作用。已知能产生PQQ的生物仅限于某些革兰阴性细菌,已分离得到几种不同来源的PQQ生物合成基因,其序列具有一定的保守性。PQQ的生物合成涉及4～7个基因,这些基因一般成簇排列。业已证明,谷氨酸和酪氨酸是PQQ合成的前体物质。对各个基因的功能已有不同程度的了解,但PQQ的生物合成途径还尚未阐明。     

Protection of pyrroloquinoline quinone against methylmercury-induced neurotoxicity via reducing oxidative stress

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a novel redox cofactor and also exists in various foods. In vivo as well as in vitro experimental studies have shown that PQQ functions as an essential nutrient or antioxidant. Methylmercury (MeHg), as a highly toxic environmental pollutant, could elicit central nervous system (CNS) damage. Considering the antioxidant properties of PQQ, this study was aimed to evaluate the effect of PQQ on MeHg-induced neurotoxicity in the PC12 cells. The results showed that, after pre-treatment of PC12 cells with PQQ prior to MeHg exposure, the MeHg-induced cytotoxicity was significantly attenuated and then the percentage of apoptotic cells and the arrest of S-phase in cell cycle were correspondingly reduced. Moreover, PQQ significantly decreased the production of ROS, suppressed the lipid peroxidation and increased the antioxidant enzyme activities in PC12 cells exposed to MeHg. These observations highlighted the potential of PQQ in offering protection against MeHg-induced neuronal toxicity.     

Characterization of a group of pyrroloquinoline quinone‐dependent dehydrogenases that are involved in the conversion of L‐sorbose to 2‐Keto‐L‐gulonic acid in Ketogulonicigenium vulgare WSH‐001

Ketogulonicigenium vulgare WSH‐001 is an industrial strain used for vitamin C production. Based on genome sequencing and pathway analysis of the bacterium, some of its potential pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)‐dependent dehydrogenases were predicted, including KVU_pmdA_0245, KVU_2142, KVU_2159, KVU_1366, KVU_0203, KVU_0095, and KVU_pmdB_0115. BLAST and function domain searches showed that enzymes encoded by these genes may act as putative PQQ‐dependent L ‐sorbose dehydrogenases (SDH) or L ‐sorbosone dehydrogenases (SNDH). To validate whether these dehydrogenases are PQQ‐dependent or not, these seven putative dehyrogenases were overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and purified for characterization. Biochemical and kinetic characterization of the purified proteins have led to the identification of seven enzymes that possess the ability to oxidize L ‐sorbose or L ‐sorbosone to varying degrees. In addition, the dehydrogenation of sorbose in K. vulgare is validated to be PQQ dependent, identification of these PQQ‐dependent dehydrogenases expanded the PQQ‐dependent dehydrogenase family. Besides, the optimal combination of enzymes that could more efficiently catalyze the conversion of sorbose to gulonic acid was proposed. These are important in supporting the development of metabolic engineering strategies and engineering of efficient strains for one‐step production of vitamin C in the future. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1398–1404, 2013     

Crystal structure of quinone‐dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from Pseudogluconobacter saccharoketogenes. A versatile dehydrogenase oxidizing alcohols and carbohydrates

The quinone‐dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (PQQ‐ADH, E.C. 1.1.5.2) from the Gram‐negative bacterium Pseudogluconobacter saccharoketogenes IFO 14464 oxidizes primary alcohols (e.g. ethanol, butanol), secondary alcohols (monosaccharides), as well as aldehydes, polysaccharides, and cyclodextrins. The recombinant protein, expressed in Pichia pastoris, was crystallized, and three‐dimensional (3D) structures of the native form, with PQQ and a Ca²⁺ ion, and of the enzyme in complex with a Zn²⁺ ion and a bound substrate mimic were determined at 1.72 Å and 1.84 Å resolution, respectively. PQQ‐ADH displays an eight‐bladed β‐propeller fold, characteristic of Type I quinone‐dependent methanol dehydrogenases. However, three of the four ligands of the Ca²⁺ ion differ from those of related dehydrogenases and they come from different parts of the polypeptide chain. These differences result in a more open, easily accessible active site, which explains why PQQ‐ADH can oxidize a broad range of substrates. The bound substrate mimic suggests Asp333 as the catalytic base. Remarkably, no vicinal disulfide bridge is present near the PQQ, which in other PQQ‐dependent alcohol dehydrogenases has been proposed to be necessary for electron transfer. Instead an associated cytochrome c can approach the PQQ for direct electron transfer.     

Discovery of a Eukaryotic Pyrroloquinoline Quinone-Dependent Oxidoreductase Belonging to a New Auxiliary Activity Family in the Database of Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a redox cofactor utilized by a number of prokaryotic dehydrogenases. Not all prokaryotic organisms are capable of synthesizing PQQ, even though it plays important roles in the growth and development of many organisms, including humans. The existence of PQQ-dependent enzymes in eukaryotes has been suggested based on homology studies or the presence of PQQ-binding motifs, but there has been no evidence that such enzymes utilize PQQ as a redox cofactor. However, during our studies of hemoproteins, we fortuitously discovered a novel PQQ-dependent sugar oxidoreductase in a mushroom, the basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea. The enzyme protein has a signal peptide for extracellular secretion and a domain for adsorption on cellulose, in addition to the PQQ-dependent sugar dehydrogenase and cytochrome domains. Although this enzyme shows low amino acid sequence homology with known PQQ-dependent enzymes, it strongly binds PQQ and shows PQQ-dependent activity. BLAST search uncovered the existence of many genes encoding homologous proteins in bacteria, archaea, amoebozoa, and fungi, and phylogenetic analysis suggested that these quinoproteins may be members of a new family that is widely distributed not only in prokaryotes, but also in eukaryotes.     

Role of glutathione in augmenting the anticancer activity of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)

Abstract

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a bacterial redox co-factor and antioxidant, is highly reactive with nucleophilic compounds present in biological fluids. PQQ induced apoptosis in human promonocytic leukemia U937 cells and this was accompanied by depletion of the major cellular antioxidant glutathione and increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment with glutathione (GSH) or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) did not spare PQQ toxicity but resulted in a 2–5-fold increase in PQQ-induced apoptosis in U937 cells. Cellular GSH levels increased following treatment by NAC alone but were severely depleted by co-treatment with NAC and PQQ. This was accompanied by an increase in intracellular ROS. Alternatively, depletion of glutathione also resulted in increased PQQ cytotoxicity. However, the cells underwent necrosis as evidenced by dual labeling with annexin V and propidium iodide. PQQ-induced cytotoxicity is thus critically regulated by the cellular redox status. An increase in GSH can augment apoptosis and its depletion can switch the mode of cell death to necrosis in the presence of PQQ. Our data suggest that modulation of intracellular GSH can be used as an effective strategy to potentiate cytotoxicity of quinones like PQQ.     

Mammalian Choline Dehydrogenase Is a Quinoprotein

Mammalian choline dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.1) has been proved to be a quinoprotein in which pyrrolo-quinoline quinone (PQQ) is involved as the prosthetic group. The enzyme was purified from dog liver mitochondria by solubilizing the enzyme with Brij 58 and chromatographically separating it almost to homogeneity. The absorption spectrum of mammalian choline dehydrogenase indicated the presence of PQQ with a typical shoulder at 320 nm. Since PQQ was attached to the enzyme by a covalent linkage, the chromophore was isolated with an acid hydrolysate and the isolated chromophore gave rise the identical spectroscopic characteristics to that obtained from the amine oxidase of Aspergillus niger in which PQQ is covalently linked. The isolated chromophore potently activated apo-d-glucose dehydrogenase .(EC 1.1.99.17) supporting the presence of PQQ in mammalian choline dehydrogenase.     

Physiologic importance of pyrroloquinoline quinone.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ, methoxatin) is a dissociable cofactor for a number of bacterial dehydrogenases. The compound is unusual because of its ability to catalyze redox cycling reactions at a high rate of efficiency and it has the potential of catalyzing various carbonyl amine reactions as well. In methylotrophic bacteria, PQQ is derived from the condensation of L-tyrosine with L-glutamic acid. Whether or not PQQ serves as a cofactor in higher plants and animals remains controversial. Nevertheless, a strong case may be made that PQQ and related quinoids have nutritional and pharmacologic importance. In highly purified, chemically defined diets, PQQ stimulates animal growth. Furthermore, PQQ deprivation appears to impair connective tissue maturation, particularly when initiated in utero and throughout perinatal development.     

Pyrroloquinoline quinone attenuates iNOS gene expression in the injured spinal cord

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a naturally occurring redox cofactor that acts as an essential nutrient, antioxidant, and redox modulator. PQQ has been demonstrated to oxidize the redox modulatory site of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. Such agents are known to be neuroprotective in experimental stroke models. Therefore, we examined the possible ameliorating effect of PQQ on spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats. Intraperitoneal administration of PQQ effectively promoted the functional recovery of SCI rats after hemi-transection, which was preceded by the attenuation of the expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) mRNA in the injury site. NO is involved in the secondary detrimental mechanisms and has been implicated in NMDA receptor-mediated neurotoxicity. In fact, administration of PQQ induced significantly decreased lesion size and increased axon density adjoining the lesion area. These observations suggest that PQQ protects against the secondary damage by reducing iNOS expression following primary physical injury to the spinal cord.     

Pyrroloquinoline-quinone and its versatile roles in biological processes

Pyrroloquinoline-quinine (PQQ) was initially characterized as a redox cofactor for membrane-bound dehydrogenases in the bacterial system. Subsequently, PQQ was shown to be an antioxidant protecting the living cells from oxidative damage in vivo and the biomolecules from artificially produced reaction oxygen species in vitro. The presence of PQQ has been documented from different biological samples. It functions as a nutrient and vitamin for supporting the growth and protection of living cells under stress. Recently, the role of PQQ has also been shown as a bio-control agent for plant fungal pathogens, an inducer for proteins kinases involved in cellular differentiation of mammalian cells and as a redox sensor leading to development of biosensor. Recent reviews published on PQQ and enzymes requiring this cofactor have brought forth the case specific roles of PQQ. This review covers the comprehensive information on various aspects of PQQ known till date. These include the roles of PQQ in the regulation of cellular growth and differentiation in mammalian system, as a nutrient and vitamin in stress tolerance, in crop productivity through increasing the availability of insoluble phosphate and as a bio-control agent, and as a redox agent leading to the biosensor development. Most recent findings correlating the exceptionally high redox recycling ability of PQQ to its potential as anti-neurodegenerative, anticancer and pharmacological agents, and as a signalling molecule have been distinctly brought out. This review discusses different findings suggesting the versatility in PQQ functions and provides the most plausible intellectual basis to the ubiquitous roles of this compound in a large number of biological processes, as a nutrient and a perspective vitamin.     

Factors relevant in bacterial pyrroloquinoline quinone production

Quinoprotein content and levels of external pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) were determined for several bacteria under a variety of growth conditions. From these data and those from the literature, a number of factors can be indicated which are relevant for PQQ production. Synthesis of PQQ is only started if synthesis of a quinoprotein occurs, but quinoprotein synthesis does not depend on PQQ synthesis. The presence of quinoprotein substrates is not necessary for quinoprotein and PQQ syntheses. Although the extent of PQQ production was determined by the type of organism and quinoprotein produced, coordination between quinoprotein and PQQ syntheses is loose, since underproduction and overproduction of PQQ with respect to quinoprotein were observed. The results can be interpreted to indicate that quinoprotein synthesis depends on the growth rate whereas PQQ synthesis does not. In that view, the highest PQQ production can be achieved under limiting growth conditions, as was shown indeed by the much higher levels of PQQ produced in fed-batch cultures compared with those produced in batch experiments. The presence of nucleophiles, especially amino acids, in culture media may cause losses of PQQ due to transformation into biologically inactive compounds. Some organisms continued to synthesize PQQ de novo when this cofactor was administered exogenously. Most probably PQQ cannot be taken up by either passive diffusion or active transport mechanisms and is therefore not able to exert feedback regulation on its biosynthesis in these organisms.     

Factors relevant in bacterial pyrroloquinoline quinone production.

Quinoprotein content and levels of external pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) were determined for several bacteria under a variety of growth conditions. From these data and those from the literature, a number of factors can be indicated which are relevant for PQQ production. Synthesis of PQQ is only started if synthesis of a quinoprotein occurs, but quinoprotein synthesis does not depend on PQQ synthesis. The presence of quinoprotein substrates is not necessary for quinoprotein and PQQ syntheses. Although the extent of PQQ production was determined by the type of organism and quinoprotein produced, coordination between quinoprotein and PQQ syntheses is loose, since underproduction and overproduction of PQQ with respect to quinoprotein were observed. The results can be interpreted to indicate that quinoprotein synthesis depends on the growth rate whereas PQQ synthesis does not. In that view, the highest PQQ production can be achieved under limiting growth conditions, as was shown indeed by the much higher levels of PQQ produced in fed-batch cultures compared with those produced in batch experiments. The presence of nucleophiles, especially amino acids, in culture media may cause losses of PQQ due to transformation into biologically inactive compounds. Some organisms continued to synthesize PQQ de novo when this cofactor was administered exogenously. Most probably PQQ cannot be taken up by either passive diffusion or active transport mechanisms and is therefore not able to exert feedback regulation on its biosynthesis in these organisms.     

Characterization and Engineering of a Novel Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Dependent Glucose Dehydrogenase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorangium cellulosum</Emphasis> So ce56

A novel pyrroloquinoline quinone dependent glucose dehydrogenase like enzyme (PQQ GDH) was isolated from Sorangium cellulosum So ce56. The putative coding region was cloned, over expressed in E. coli and the resulting enzyme was characterized. The recombinant protein has a relative molecular mass of 63 kDa and shows 43% homology to PQQ GDH-B from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. In the presence of PQQ and CaCl₂ the enzyme has dehydrogenase activity with the substrate glucose as well as with other mono- and disaccharides. The thermal stability and its pH activity profile mark the enzyme as a potential glucose biosensor enzyme. In order to decrease the activity on maltose, which is unwanted for a potential application in biosensors, the protein was rationally modified at three specified positions. The best variant showed a 59% reduction in activity on maltose compared to the wild type enzyme. The catalytic efficiency (k _cat/K _M) was reduced fivefold but the specific activity still amounted to 63% of the wild type activity.     

Soluble and Membrane-bound Quinoprotein D-Glucose Dehydrogenases of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus: The Binding Process of PQQ to the Apoenzymes

Acinetohacter calcoaceticus LMD 79.41 is a unique bacterium containing a soluble quinoprotein D-glucose dehydrogenase (sGDH) in addition to the membrane-bound quinoprotein D-glucose dehydrogenase (mGDH) which is distributed extensively in Gram-negative bacteria. sGDH has been shown to be a distinct enzyme from mGDH, though both enzymes contain a tightly bound pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) as their prosthetic group. In this study, sGDH was detectable in all strains tested of A. calcoaceticus but not in other Gram-negative bacteria tested, indicating that sGDH can be useful as a taxonomic marker for A. calcoaceticus.

The binding process of PQQ with both enzymes was examined by using the apoenzymes purified from a PQQ-deficient mutant strain of A. calcoaceticus. sGDH was able to bind two moles of PQQ in one mole of the homodimer with a fairly high affinity. The binding reaction was much faster at alkaline pH than at acidic pH, and required the presence of some divalent cations such as Cd²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, or Mn²⁺. On the other hand, mGDH bound one mol of PQQ in the monomeric enzyme with a relatively slow reacting process, which was optimum at acidic pH and in the presence of different types of divalent cations such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, or Sr²⁺. Thus, it is suggested that sGDH and mGDH have distinct structures around their PQQ binding site. Furthermore, binding of PQQ affects the conformation of both enzymes, which can be shown from the diminishing intrinsic fluorescence of the enzymes and the increase in resistance against proteolysis upon PQQ binding. Data also suggest that the conformational changes caused by PQQ-binding are more dramatic in sGDH than in mGDH. Based on the results obtained, the differences in PQQ-binding mode between the enzymes and the physiological meanings of sGDH are discussed.