Normal Binding and Reactivity of Copper in Mutant Superoxide Dismutase Isolated from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients

Abstract: In some families with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the disease is linked to mutations in the gene encoding CuZn-superoxide dismutase. The mutant CuZn-superoxide dismutases appear to cause motor neuron degeneration by a toxic property, suggested to be linked to an altered reactivity of the active-site Cu ions. Asp⁹⁰Ala mutant CuZn-superoxide dismutase was isolated from six patients with ALS, allowing properties of the mutant enzyme synthesized and conditioned in patients with ALS to be examined. The molecular mass of the Asp⁹⁰Ala mutant CuZn-superoxide dismutase was 45 Da lower than that of the wild-type enzyme, as expected from the amino acid exchange. The mobility after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was markedly increased, however, suggesting altered properties of the polypeptide. The mutant CuZn-superoxide dismutase showed a minimal reduction in stability but did not differ significantly from the wild-type enzyme in enzymic activity, in content and affinity for active-site Cu ions and in the propensity to catalyze formation of hydroxyl radicals. Our findings suggest that the deleterious effect of mutant CuZn-superoxide dismutases on motor neurons in ALS is not related to altered reactivity of active-site Cu ions, resulting in increased oxidant stress. Attention should therefore also be directed at other mechanisms and properties of the mutant polypeptides and their degradation products.     

Expression of Human A4V Mutant Cu,Zn Superoxide Dismutase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe: Investigations of its Toxic Properties

Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is an antioxidant enzyme that catalyzes the removal of superoxide radicals generated in various biological oxidations. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, occurring in families (FALS) and sporadically (SALS). FALS and SALS are distinguishable genetically but not clinically. More than 100 point mutations in the human SOD 1 gene have been identified that cause FALS. In order to determine the effects of mutant SOD protein, we first cloned wild-type and A4V mutant human SOD1 into Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This study shows viabilities and some antioxidant properties including SOD, catalase, proteasomal activity, and protein carbonyl levels of transformants in SOD1 deleted strain (MN415); and its parental strain (JY741) at different stress conditions. There was no more oxidative damage in the human mutant SOD carrying the transformant strain compared with other strains. These results may help to explain whether ALS progresses as a consequence of cellular oxidative damage.     

Mutagenesis of a Single Amino Acid in the Rat μ-Opioid Receptor Discriminates Ligand Binding

Abstract: To investigate the role of Asp¹¹⁴ in the cloned rat μ-opioid receptor for ligand binding, the charged amino acid was mutated to an asparagine to generate the mutant μ receptor D114N. The wild-type μ receptor and the D114N mutant were then stably expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, and the binding affinities of a series of opioids were investigated. The μ-selective agonists [ d -Ala²,MePhe⁴,Gly-ol⁵]enkephalin and morphine and the endogenous peptides Met-enkephalin and β-endorphin exhibited greatly reduced affinities for the D114N mutant compared with the wild-type μ receptor, as did the potent synthetic agonist etorphine. In contrast to the full agonists, the partial agonists buprenorphine and nalorphine and the antagonists diprenorphine and naloxone bound with similar affinities to the wild-type and D114N mutant μ receptors. The reduced affinities of the full agonists for the D114N mutant did not involve an uncoupling of the receptor from G proteins because methadone and etorphine stimulated the D114N μ receptors to inhibit adenylyl cyclase. Although the Asp¹¹⁴ to Asn¹¹⁴ mutation reduced full-agonist binding, mutation of His²⁹⁷ to Asn²⁹⁷ in the μ receptor did not but, in contrast, did reduce binding affinity of the partial agonist buprenorphine and the antagonist diprenorphine. These results indicate that some partial agonists and antagonists may have different determinants for binding to the μ receptor than do the prototypical full agonists.     

Rapid Communication: Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Familial and Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative motor neuron disease that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in ~ 10% of cases. Recently we and others identified several single-base mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene in patients with familial ALS (FALS). Using single-strand conformational polymorphism, we studied the C to G mutation in exon 2 of the SOD1 gene (resulting in a leucine to valine substitution in position 38) in affected and unaffected members of a large Belgian family with FALS. We measured the SOD1 activity in red blood cell lysates in 14 members of this family, including the only surviving clinically affected patient. SOD1 activity of the family members carrying the mutation was less than half that of members without the mutation. In addition, in 11 patients with sporadic ALS and 11 age- and sex-matched controls, red blood cell SOD1 activity was normal. These studies indicate that SOD1 activity is reduced in these FALS patients but not in sporadic ALS patients. Moreover, this SOD1 enzyme abnormality is detectable years before onset of clinical ALS in carriers of this FALS mutation.     

Superoxide dismutase 1 modulates expression of transferrin receptor

Copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) plays a protective role against the toxicity of superoxide, and studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in Drosophila have suggested an additional role for SOD1 in iron metabolism. We have studied the effect of the modulation of SOD1 levels on iron metabolism in a cultured human glial cell line and in a mouse motoneuronal cell line. We observed that levels of the transferrin receptor and the iron regulatory protein 1 were modulated in response to altered intracellular levels of superoxide dismutase activity, carried either by wild-type SOD1 or by an SOD-active amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mutant enzyme, G93A-SOD1, but not by a superoxide dismutase inactive ALS mutant, H46R-SOD1. Ferritin expression was also increased by wild-type SOD1 overexpression, but not by mutant SOD1s. We propose that changes in superoxide levels due to alteration of SOD1 activity affect iron metabolism in glial and neuronal cells from higher eukaryotes and that this may be relevant to diseases of the nervous system.     

Exosome-dependent and independent mechanisms are involved in prion-like transmission of propagated Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase misfolding

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal adult-onset degenerative neuromuscular disorder with a poorly defined etiology, progresses in an orderly spatiotemporal manner from one or more foci within the nervous system, reminiscent of prion disease pathology. We have previously shown that misfolded mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), mutation of which is associated with a subset of ALS cases, can induce endogenous wild-type SOD1 misfolding in the intracellular environment in a templating fashion similar to that of misfolded prion protein. Our recent observations further extend the prion paradigm of pathological SOD1 to help explain the intercellular transmission of disease along the neuroaxis. It has been shown that both mutant and misfolded wild-type SOD1 can traverse cell-to-cell either as protein aggregates that are released from dying cells and taken up by neighboring cells via macropinocytosis, or released to the extracellular environment on the surface of exosomes secreted from living cells. Furthermore, once propagation of misfolded wild-type SOD1 has been initiated in human cell culture, it continues over multiple passages of transfer and cell growth. Propagation and transmission of misfolded wild-type SOD1 is therefore a potential mechanism in the systematic progression of ALS pathology.     

Activity of protein phosphatase calcineurin is decreased in sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosispatients

Calcineurin (CaN) is a Ser/Thr protein phosphatase involved in a wide range of cellular responses to calcium mobilizing signals. Previous evidence supports the notion that calcineurin is oxidatively inhibited by mutant Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) typical of familial ALS patients in vitro and in transgenic mice. We report that calcineurin activity is markedly inhibited in lymphocytes from 37 sporadic, eight familial ALS patients and an asymptomatic subject carrying an SOD1 mutation as compared to 28 healthy controls. Two other healthy subjects, heterozygous for the D90A mutation from a recessive pedigree, have normal calcineurin activity. Immunoreactive CaN protein, age, sex and riluzole treatment are not related to calcineurin activity in samples from patients. However, we have observed a marked increase in total protein oxidation in extracts from ALS lymphocytes, as compared to extracts from control subjects. These data confirm that modification of calcineurin activity and possibly of calcineurin-mediated pathways of signal transduction (including modulation of apoptotic neuronal death) may contribute to the pathogenesis of ALS.     

Impairment of glutamate transport and increased vulnerability to oxidative stress in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells expressing a Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase typical of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells transfected with either familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-typical G93A mutant or wild-type copper/zinc superoxide dismutase were compared to untransfected cells in term of glutamate transport. Vmax of glutamate uptake was reduced in mutant cells, with no change in Km. No difference in EAAT1, EAAT2 and EAAT3 glutamate transporter mRNAs and immunoreactive proteins was found, suggesting that one or more transporters are functionally inactivated, possibly due to increased oxidative stress induced by the G93A mutation. Mutant cells showed a marked sensitivity to oxidants, resulting in a more pronounced reduction of glutamate uptake. Short-term antioxidant treatment did not reverse the impairment of glutamate uptake in G93A cells. Interestlingly, N-acetylcysteine was partially effective in preventing glutamate uptake reduction due to exogenous oxidative insults. Since the inhibition of the EAAT2 transporter subtype had no effect on glutamate re-uptake in this model, our study suggests an impaired function of the EAAT1/3 transporter subtypes, possibly due to oxidative inactivation, in the presence of mutant copper/zinc superoxide dismutase. Therefore, this model might prove to be a valuable tool to study the effects of mutant copper/zinc superoxide dismutase associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on glutamate transport in neuronal cells, without the specific contribution of glial cells. These findings might lead to the identification of new therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing the damage associated with ALS.     

Overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase attenuates neuronal death in human cells expressing mutant (G37R) Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of motor function and eventual death as a result of degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain. The discovery of mutations in SOD1, the gene encoding the antioxidant enzyme Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), in a subset of ALS patients has led to new insight into the pathophysiology of ALS. Utilizing a novel adenovirus gene delivery system, our laboratory has developed a human cell culture model using chemically differentiated neuroblastoma cells to investigate how mutations in SOD1 lead to neuronal death. Expression of mutant SOD1 (G37R) resulted in a time and dose-related death of differentiated neuroblastoma cells. This cell death was inhibited by overexpression of the antioxidant enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). These observations support the hypothesis that mutant SOD1-associated neuronal death is associated with alterations in oxidative stress, and since MnSOD is a mitochondrial enzyme, suggest that mitochondria play a key role in disease pathogenesis. Our findings in this model of inhibition of mutant SOD1-associated death by MnSOD represent an unique approach to explore the underlying mechanisms of mutant SOD1 cytotoxicity and can be used to identify potential therapeutic agents for further testing.     

Study of the violaxanthin cycle using a yellow-green mutant of wheat

Variations in the content of pigments involved in the violaxanthin cycle in Triticumdurum L, cv. Cappelli and its yellow-green mutant were studied when the plants were transferred from darkness in intense sunlight (1600 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹) and vice versa. Even though the mutant contains less of all the photosymhetic pigments, its violaxanthin cycle is more active than in the wild-type, but the mutant needs more time in darkness to return to the level of violaxanthin present before exposure to light In both cases, hut particularly in the mutant, not all the violaxanthin is converted into antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD: E., C. 1.15.1.1). an enzyme that contributes to the removal of the active forms of oxygen. was lower in the mutant than in the wild-type. Since the lower SOD activity corresponds to greater phototransformation of violaxanthin, it is argued that the higher rate of violaxanthin photooxidation contributes additional protection to the photosynthetic apparatus.     

Oxidant/antioxidant status in blood of patients with malignant breast tumour and benign breast disease

The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme defences in the blood of patients with malignant breast tumour and benign breast disease. Forty patients with malignant breast tumour, 20 patients with benign breast disease and also 20 healthy control subjects were recruited for the study. Malondialdehyde levels in plasma and erythrocytes, and the activities of erythrocyte CuZn-superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were measured. Malondialdehyde levels were higher in patients with both benign breast disease and malignant breast tumour compared with control subjects. The activities of all antioxidant enzymes were higher in patients with malignant breast tumour, while only glutathione peroxidase and CuZn-superoxide dismutase activities were higher in patients with benign breast disease. Except for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the antioxidant enzymes studied correlated positively with the malondialdehyde levels in patients with malignant breast tumour. On the other hand, only glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was increased by the level of malignancy. The activity increases in erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes may be a compensatory upregulation in response to increased oxidative stress especially in patients with malignant breast tumour.     

Luminol assay for microdetermination of superoxide dismutase activity: its application to human fetal blood

A microtechnique for determining the superoxide dismutase activity in erythrocytes is described. This technique involves the inhibition of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence of superoxide anion generated by xanthine-xanthine oxidase. Measurements required a steady-state chemiluminescence whether superoxide dismutase was present or absent; the level of luminescence was correlated to enzyme activity. Superoxide dismutase activity measured by this technique was 836 +/- 112 micrograms/g of hemoglobin for whole blood and 834 +/- 109 micrograms/g of hemoglobin for erythrocytes. When the reference technique was applied to larger amounts of blood, the results were 862 +/- 58 and 858 +/- 116 micrograms/g of hemoglobin for whole blood and washed erythrocytes, respectively. The enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase from fetal blood (obtained by venipuncture in utero and of 19-26 weeks gestational age) was similar to that of adult blood, when measured by the new technique.     

Superoxide Dismutase Concentration and Activity in Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract: Some cases of autosomal-dominant familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) have been associated with mutations in SOD1 , the gene that encodes Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD). We determined the concentrations (µg of Cu/Zn SOD/mg of total protein), specific activities (U/µg of total protein), and apparent turnover numbers (U/µmol of Cu/Zn SOD) of Cu/Zn SOD in erythrocyte lysates from patients with known SOD1 mutations. We also measured the concentrations and activities of Cu/Zn SOD in FALS patients with no identifiable SOD1 mutations, sporadic ALS (SALS) patients, and patients with other neurologic disorders. The concentration and specific activity of Cu/Zn SOD were decreased in all patients with SOD1 mutations, with mean reductions of 51 and 46%, respectively, relative to controls. In contrast, the apparent turnover number of the enzyme was not altered in these patients. For the six mutations studied, there was no correlation between enzyme concentration or specific activity and disease severity, expressed as either duration of disease or age of onset. No significant alterations in the concentration, specific activity, or apparent turnover number of Cu/Zn SOD were detected in the FALS patients with no identifiable SOD1 mutations, SALS patients, or patients with other neurologic disorders. That Cu/Zn SOD concentration and specific activity are equivalently reduced in erythrocytes from patients with SOD1 mutations suggests that mutant Cu/Zn SOD is unstable in these cells. That concentration and specific activity do not correlate with disease severity suggests that an altered, novel function of the enzyme, rather than reduction of its dismutase activity, may be responsible for the pathogenesis of FALS.     

Antioxidant status of the potato tuber and Ca2+ deficiency as a physiological stress

The antioxidant status of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers of two genotypes, cv. Désirée and clone 10337de40 was investigated in relation to susceptibility to internal rust spot (IRS), a Ca²⁺-related physiological disorder. Concentrations of total calcium within the perimedulla tissue of tubers, grown with a restricted (1 m M CaCl₂) Ca²⁺ supply, were similar in cv. Désirée (IRS resistant) and clone 10337de40 (IRS susceptible). A range of antioxidants was assayed in order to assess antioxidant status in both genotypes under the two Ca²⁺ treatments. Although no appreciable differences were detected between low Ca²⁺ and control treatments, certain antioxidants were present at significantly higher levels in the IRS resistant genotype, cv. Désirée. These included dehydroascorbate reductase (EC 1.8.5.1) activity (more than 100% higher), total glutathione content (ca 40% higher), glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) activity (almost 50% higher), peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) activity (ca 60% higher) and superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) activity (almost 80% higher). There was no difference in ascorbate content, ascorbate free radical reductase activity (EC 1.6.5.4), α-tocopherol levels and catalase activity (EC 1.11.1.6) between the two genotypes. The possible relationship between resistance to IRS and a superior antioxidant status, found in cv. Désirée, is discussed.     

Phytotoxicity of cadmium ions on germinating seedlings of mung bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): Involvement of lipid peroxides in chlorphyll degradation

Germinating seedlings of mung bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. K-16) were treated with different concentrations of cadmium acetate (10, 50 and 100 μ M ). Cd²⁺ lowered the chlorophyll and heme levels. The level of lipid peroxides were higher on day 3 than on day 6. However, Cd²⁺ treatment significantly enhanced the level of lipid peroxides. Similarly, a dose-dependent induction of lipoxygenase (EC 1.13.11.12) activity was observed with Cd²⁺ treatment. Further, the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) were decreased. Our results suggest that lipoxygenase-mediated accumulation of lipid peroxides on the one hand and inhibition of free radical scavenging enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase on the other caused a pronounced reduction in the chlorophyll and heme levels of the seedlings. The experiments conducted on the effect of Cd²⁺ on dark-grown seedlings did not conform with the result of light-grown seedlings. Though chlorophyll and heme levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner, no accumulation of lipid peroxides was observed, suggesting that the inhibition of chlorophyll synthesis by Cd²⁺ is achieved both by reaction with constituent biosynthetic enzymes as well as peroxide-mediated degradation.     

Decreased Zinc Affinity of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Associated Superoxide Dismutase Mutants Leads to Enhanced Catalysis of Tyrosine Nitration by Peroxynitrite

Abstract: Mutations to Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) linked to familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) enhance an unknown toxic reaction that leads to the selective degeneration of motor neurons. However, the question of how >50 different missense mutations produce a common toxic phenotype remains perplexing. We found that the zinc affinity of four ALS-associated SOD mutants was decreased up to 30-fold compared to wild-type SOD but that both mutants and wild-type SOD retained copper with similar affinity. Neurofilament-L (NF-L), one of the most abundant proteins in motor neurons, bound multiple zinc atoms with sufficient affinity to potentially remove zinc from both wild-type and mutant SOD while having a lower affinity for copper. The loss of zinc from wild-type SOD approximately doubled its efficiency for catalyzing peroxynitrite-mediated tyrosine nitration, suggesting that one gained function by SOD in ALS may be an indirect consequence of zinc loss. Nitration of protein-bound tyrosines is a permanent modification that can adversely affect protein function. Thus, the toxicity of ALS-associated SOD mutants may be related to enhanced catalysis of protein nitration subsequent to zinc loss. By acting as a high-capacity zinc sink, NF-L could foster the formation of zinc-deficient SOD within motor neurons.     

Concerted Action Of Reduced Glutathione And Superoxide Dismutase In Preventing Redox Cycling Of Dihydroxypyrimidines, And Their Role In Antioxidant Defence

Dialuric Acid, the reduced form of the β-cell toxin alloxan, and the related fava bean derivatives divicine and isouramil, autoxidize rapidly in neutral solution by a radical mechanism. GSH promotes redox cycling of each compound, with concomitant GSH oxidation and H₂O₂ production. With superoxide dismutase present, there is a lag period in which little oxidation occurs, followed by rapid oxidation. GSH extends this lag and decreases the subsequent rate of oxidation, so that with superoxide dismutase and a sufficient excess of GSH. coupled oxidation of GSH and each pyrimidine is almost completely suppressed. This mechanism may be a means whereby GSH in combination with superoxide dismutase protects against the cytotoxic effects of these reactive pyrimidines. Superoxide dismutase may also protect cells against oxida-tive stress in other situations where GSH acts as a radical scavenger. and we propose that the concerted action of GSH and superoxide dismutase constitutes an important antioxidant defence     

Determination of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Activity By Direct Spectrophotometry

A method to determine Mn-superoxide dismutase activity by measuring directly the rate of decay of O₂^- in a spectrophotometer, is described. Decay of O₂^- generated by KO₂ at pH 9.5, was monitored as the fall in absorbance (A_250nm-A_360nm). Mn-superoxide dismutase was determined as the activity of cyanide-resistant superoxide dismutase, calculated from the rate of O₂^- dismutation. Mn-superoxide dismutase could be determined in the presence of a 700 times higher Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase activity. The alkaline pH did not cause analytical problems. The assay was used to measure both Mn- and Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase activity in mitochondrial preparations. The assay had a detection limit of 2.8 ng/ml when Mn-superoxide dismutase from E. coli was used, and the between-day CV was 5.8%. The assay is an alternative to indirect methods for detecting superoxide dismutase activity.     

Induction of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase by Cytokines and Lipopolysaccharide in Cultured Mouse Astrocytes

Abstract: To determine whether cytokines or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are involved in the induction of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the nervous system, we examined the effects of these substances on the levels of SOD in cultured mouse astrocytes. Treatment of astrocytes with 10² to 10⁴ U/ml tumor necrosis factor-α for 3 days increased the levels of Mn SOD in a dose- and time-dependent manner to as much as six times the level under nontreated conditions. Treatment with 1.0 µg/ml LPS for 3 days elicited a fourfold increase in levels of Mn SOD, and the effect of LPS was also dose dependent. Furthermore, Mn SOD in astrocytes was induced by a 3-day exposure to interleukin-1α at concentrations of 10² or 10³ U/ml. However, these stimuli had no effect on levels of copper-zinc SOD (Cu/Zn SOD) in astrocytes. By contrast, interferon-γ did not change the levels of either Mn or Cu/Zn SOD in the cells. The results indicate that the selective induction of Mn SOD by cytokines and LPS, which has been observed in nonnervous tissues, may also occur in nervous tissues. The induction of Mn SOD may represent a mechanism for protection of cells from oxidative stress.