High concentrations of aldehydes slow the reaction of cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase with thiol-group modifiers.

High concentrations of aldehydes slow the inactivation of cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase by disulfiram and also slow the reaction of the enzyme with 2,2'-dithiodipyridine. It is concluded that a low-affinity aldehyde-binding site is probably the site at which thiol-group modifiers react with aldehyde dehydrogenase, as well as being the active site for hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate.     

Reaction between sheep liver mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase and various thiol-modifying reagents.

Sheep liver mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase reacts with 2,2'-dithiodipyridine and 4,4'-dithiodipyridine in a two-step process: an initial rapid labelling reaction is followed by slow displacement of the thiopyridone moiety. With the 4,4'-isomer the first step results in an activated form of the enzyme, which then loses activity simultaneously with loss of the label (as has been shown to occur with the cytoplasmic enzyme). With 2,2'-dithiodipyridine, however, neither of the two steps of the reaction has any effect on the enzymic activity, showing that the mitochondrial enzyme possesses two cysteine residues that must be more accessible or reactive (to this reagent at least) than the postulated catalytically essential residue. The symmetrical reagent 5,5'-dithiobis-(1-methyltetrazole) activates mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase approximately 4-fold, whereas the smaller related compound methyl l-methyltetrazol-5-yl disulphide is a potent inactivator. These results support the involvement of mixed methyl disulphides in causing unpleasant physiological responses to ethanol after the ingestion of certain antibiotics.     

The activation of aldehyde dehydrogenase by diethylstilboestrol and 2,2'-dithiodipyridine.

1. The activation of sheep liver cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase by diethylstilboestrol and by 2,2'-dithiodipyridine is described. The effects of the two modifiers are very similar with respect to variation with acetaldehyde concentration, pH and temperature. Thus the degree of activation is maximal when the enzyme is assayed at approx. 1 mM-acetaldehyde, is greater at 25 degrees C than at 37 degrees C, and is greater at pH 7.4 than at pH 9.75. With low concentrations of acetaldehyde both modifiers decrease the enzyme activity. 2. Diethylstilboestrol affects the sheep liver cytoplasmic enzyme in a very similar way to that previously described for a rabbit liver cytoplasmic enzyme. Preliminary experiments show that the same is true for a preparation of human liver aldehyde dehydrogenase. It is proposed that sensitivity to diethylstilboestrol (and steroids) is a common property of all mammalian cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenases.     

Effects of diethylstilbestrol, 2,2'-dithiodipyridine, and chloral hydrate on the esterase activity of sheep liver cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase

The binding of diethylstilbestrol (DES) to aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) has a very similar effect on the dehydrogenase activity of the enzyme as has modification of the enzyme by 2,2'-dithiodipyridine [Kitson, T.M. (1982) Biochem. J. 207, 81-89]. The latter modification may occur at the site of the esterase activity of the enzyme [Kitson, T.M. (1985) Biochem. J. 228, 765-767]. This suggests that DES might be a competitive inhibitor of the esterase reaction. However, in the absence of oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), and at low concentrations of substrate (4-nitrophenyl acetate, PNPA), DES is a potent partial noncompetitive inhibitor. It is concluded therefore that DES binds at a site different from the esterase active site and that the enzyme-DES complex retains some ability to act as an esterase. High concentrations of PNPA appear to displace DES from its binding site. In the presence of NAD+, DES is a weaker inhibitor, and in the presence of NADH, DES has very little effect. Esterase activity is enhanced by NADH when PNPA concentrations are high but is inhibited when they are low. The rate of reaction of ALDH with 2,2'-dithiodipyridine is only slightly reduced by DES, suggesting that the site at which thiol modifiers react and the DES binding site are different. When ALDH is modified by 2,2'-dithiodipyridine, it has reduced esterase activity, which declines further as the modified enzyme loses its 2-thiopyridyl label. In the presence of NAD+, chloral hydrate is a simple competitive inhibitor of the esterase reaction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Further studies of the action of disulfiram and 2,2''-dithiodipyridine on the dehydrogenase and esterase activities of sheep liver cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase.

1. Pre-modification of cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase by disulfiram results in the same extent of inactivation when the enzyme is subsequently assayed as a dehydrogenase or as an esterase. 2. 4-Nitrophenyl acetate protects the enzyme against inactivation by disulfiram, particularly well in the absence of NAD+. Some protection is also provided by chloral hydrate and indol-3-ylacetaldehyde (in the absence of NAD+). 3. When disulfiram is prevented from reacting at its usual site by the presence of 4-nitrophenyl acetate, it reacts elsewhere on the enzyme molecule without causing inactivation. 4. Enzyme in the presence of aldehyde and NAD+ is not at all protected against disulfiram. It is proposed that, under these circumstances, disulfiram reacts with the enzyme-NADH complex formed in the enzyme-catalysed reaction. 5. Modification by disulfiram results in a decrease in the amplitude of the burst of NADH formation during the dehydrogenase reaction, as well as a decrease in the steady-state rate. 6. 2,2'-Dithiodipyridine reacts with the enzyme both in the absence and presence of NAD+. Under the former circumstances the activity of the enzyme is little affected, but when the reaction is conducted in the presence of NAD+ the enzyme is activated by approximately 2-fold and is then relatively insensitive to the inactivatory effect of disulfiram. 7. Enzyme activated by 2,2'-dithiodipyridine loses most of its activity when stored over a period of a few days at 4 degrees C, or within 30 min when treated with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate. 8. Points for and against the proposal that the disulfiram-sensitive groups are catalytically essential are discussed.     

Exploration of the polar microenvironment around the reactive cysteine in rabbit muscle creatine kinase

The polar microenvironment around the reactive Cys283 of rabbit muscle creatine kinase was explored using kinetic analysis of substrates reaction in the presence of modifiers. In the present study, three specific sulphydryl reagents, 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), 6,6'-dithiodinicotinic acid and 2,2'-dithiodipyridine, were applied as modifiers to react with Cys283 of creatine kinase. The inactivation kinetics of creatine kinase by the modifiers was analyzed. The microscopic rate constants for reactions of the modifiers with free enzyme and enzyme-substrate complexes were also determined. The results suggested that the inactivation rate of creatine kinase by 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) was the fastest, followed by 6,6'-dithiodinicotinic acid and then 2,2'-dithiodipyridine. Interestingly, 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and 6,6'-dithiodinicotinic acid functioned as non-complexing modifiers, while 2,2'-dithiodipyridine did a complexing modifier. The results here indicated that the electrophilic group was predominant around Cys283, and that the presence of substrates seemed to have different effects on the inactivation reactions of creatine kinase by the three modifiers. Furthermore, the findings in this study may provide a novel explanation for the low pKa value of Cys283.     

Reactive disulfides trigger Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum via an oxidation reaction

Reactive disulfide compounds (RDSs) with a pyridyl ring adjacent to the S-S bond such as 2,2'-dithiodipyridine (2,2'-DTDP), 4,4'-dithiodipyridine, and N-succinimidyl 3(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP) trigger Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles. They are known to specifically oxidize free SH sites via a thiol-disulfide exchange reaction with the stoichiometric production of thiopyridone. Thus, the formation of a mixed S-S bond between an accessible SH site on an SR protein and a RDS causes large increases in SR Ca2+ permeability. Reducing agents, glutathione (GSH) or dithiothreitol reverse the effect of RDSs and permit rapid re-uptake of Ca2+ by the Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase. The RDSs, 2,2'-DTDP, 4,4'-dithiodipyridine and SPDP displaced [3H]ryanodine binding to the Ca2+-receptor complex at IC50 values of 7.5 +/- 0.2, 1.5 +/- 0.1, and 15.4 +/- 0.1 microM, respectively. RDSs did not alter the rapid initial phase of Ca2+ uptake by the pump, stimulated ATPase activity, and induced release from passively loaded vesicles with nonactivated pumps; thus they act at a Ca2+ release channel and not at the Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase. Efflux rates increased in 0.25-1.0 mM [Mg2+]free then decreased in 2-5 mM [Mg2+]free. Adenine nucleotides inhibited the oxidation of SHs on SR protein by RDSs and thus reduced Ca2+ efflux rates. However, once RDSs oxidized these SH sites and opened the Ca2+ release pathway, subsequent additions of nucleotides stimulated Ca2+ efflux. In skinned fibers, 2,2'-dithiodipyridine elicited rapid twitches which were blocked by ruthenium red. These results indicate that RDSs trigger Ca2+ release from SR by oxidizing a critical SH group, and thus provide a method to covalently label the protein(s) involved in causing these changes in Ca2+ permeability.     

2,2'-Bispyridyl disulfide rapidly induces intramolecular disulfide bonds in peptides.

A linear peptide containing two reduced cysteine residues can be rapidly converted to its oxidized cyclic form containing an intramolecular disulfide bond by adding an excess of 2,2'-bispyridyl disulfide (2,2'-dipyridyl disulfide or 2,2'-dithiodipyridine) to conventional buffer solutions. The reactants and products are easily separated by reverse-phase chromatography. This reaction will find wide application in forming intramolecular disulfide bonds because of its selectivity for free sulfhydryl groups, quickness, safety, and applicability under acidic conditions.     

Studies on the interaction between disulfiram and sheep liver cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase.

The effect of disulfiram, [1-14C]disulfiram and some other thiol reagents on the activity of cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase from sheep liver was studied. The results are consistent with a rapid covalent interaction between disulfiram and the enzyme, and inconsistent with the notion that disulfiram is a reversible competitive inhibitor of cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase. There is a non-linear relationship between loss of about 90% of the enzyme activity and amount of disulfiram added; possible reasons for this are discussed. The remaining approx. 10% of activity is relatively insensitive to disulfiram. It is found that modification of only a small number of groups (one to two) per tetrameric enzyme molecule is responsible for the observed loss of activity. The dehydrogenase activity of the enzyme is affected more severely by disulfiram than is the esterase activity. Negatively charged thiol reagents have little or no effect on cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase. 2,2'-Dithiodipyridine is an activator of the enzyme.     

The effect of some amine oxides and disulphide compounds on the activity of acetylcholinesterase.

Three amine oxides, two aliphatic and one aromatic, and 2,2'-dithiodipyridine were found to be weak reversible inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. 5,5'-Dithiobis-(2-nitro-benzoic acid) had no effect on the enzyme under the conditions of the Ellman spectrophotometric assay.     

Mechanism of the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to xanthine oxidase: identification of the two cysteine disulfide bonds and crystal structure of a non-convertible rat liver xanthine dehydrogenase mutant

Mammalian xanthine dehydrogenase can be converted to xanthine oxidase by modification of cysteine residues or by proteolysis of the enzyme polypeptide chain. Here we present evidence that the Cys(535) and Cys(992) residues of rat liver enzyme are indeed involved in the rapid conversion from the dehydrogenase to the oxidase. The purified mutants C535A and/or C992R were significantly resistant to conversion by incubation with 4,4'-dithiodipyridine, whereas the recombinant wild-type enzyme converted readily to the oxidase type, indicating that these residues are responsible for the rapid conversion. The C535A/C992R mutant, however, converted very slowly during prolonged incubation with 4,4'-dithiodipyridine, and this slow conversion was blocked by the addition of NADH, suggesting that another cysteine couple located near the NAD(+) binding site is responsible for the slower conversion. On the other hand, the C535A/C992R/C1316S and C535A/C992R/C1324S mutants were completely resistant to conversion, even on prolonged incubation with 4,4'-dithiodipyridine, indicating that Cys(1316) and Cys(1324) are responsible for the slow conversion. The crystal structure of the C535A/C992R/C1324S mutant was determined in its demolybdo form, confirming its dehydrogenase conformation.     

Studies of the action of symmetrical and mixed disulphide thiol-modifying reagents on the esterase activity of cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase

The effect of various thiol-modifying reagents on the esterase activity of sheep liver cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase is reported here. Both symmetrical reagents (disulfiram, 2,2'- and 4,4'-dithiodipyridines) and unsymmetrical reagents (methyl diethylthiocarbamyl disulphide, methyl 2- and 4-pyridyl disulphides) were investigated. The results suggest that all the modifiers react to varying extents with a pair of enzymic thiol groups ('A' and 'B'), and that the more specifically group 'A' is modified, the more the enzyme is inactivated. This supports the idea that group 'A' may be the essential nucleophile in the reaction catalysed by aldehyde dehydrogenase. Modification of group 'B' may or may not reduce the esterase activity depending on the nature of the label introduced. The results of the present experiments and of previous similar experiments concerning the dehydrogenase activity of the enzyme are consistent with the proposal that a common active site is responsible for both esterase and dehydrogenase activities.     

Effects of sulfhydryl reagents on Na+-Ca2+ exchange in rat brain microsomal membranes

Effects of six thiol reagents with different physico-chemical properties were tested on the Na+-dependent 45Ca2+ transport into the rat brain microsomal membrane vesicles. The mercurials p-chlormercuribenzoate and Mersalyl effectively inhibited 45Ca2+ uptake with IC50 values in the order of 10(-4) mol X l-1 in the medium. N-ethylmaleimide and its more lipophilic analog N-(4-(2-benzoxazolyl)phenyl)maleimide were much less effective at the same concentrations. 2,2'-dithiodipyridine markedly reduced 45Ca2+ uptake already at concentrations below 10(-4) mol X l-1, whereas 5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoate in a concentration range 10(-6)-10(-3) mol X l-1 was a weak inhibitor. Inhibitory effects of the most potent inhibitors p-chlormercuribenzoate and 2,2'-dithiodipyridine were readily reversed by 1 mmol X l-1 dithiothreitol. The results suggest that free SH groups of membrane polypeptides are involved in the functioning of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger in the nerve tissue cell membranes.     

The effects of two disulphides on cholinesterase activity in the spectrophotometric assay

1. 5,5'-Dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoate) did not influence serum cholinesterase activity, whereas 2,2'-dithiodipyridine had an inhibitory effect. 2. The lowering of the molar extinction coefficients observed in the presence of physostigmine may be a result of a reaction between thiolate ions with carbamate moieties. 3. The use of 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoate) is still recommended in investigations, especially where the quantitative aspects are significant.     

Characterization of aldehyde dehydrogenase from HTC rat hepatoma cells

We have proposed developing rat hepatoma cell lines as an in vitro model for studying the regulation of changes in aldehyde dehydrogenase activity occurring duringhepatocarcinogenesis. Aldehyde dehydrogenase purified in a single step from HTC rat hepatoma cells is identical to the aldehyde dehydrogenase isolated from rat hepatocellular carcinomas. HTC aldehyde dehydrogenase is a 110 kDa dimer composed of 54-kDa subunits, prefers NADP⁺ as coenzyme, and preferentially oxidizes benzaldehyde-like aromatic aldehydes but not phenylacetaldehyde. The substrate and coenzyme specificity, effects of disulfiram, pH profile and isoelectric point of HTC aldehyde dehydrogenase are also identical to these same properties of the tumor aldehyde dehydrogenase. In immunodiffusions, both isozymes are recognized with complete identity by anti-HTC aldehyde dehydrogenase antibodies. Having established that HTC aldehyde dehydrogenase is very similar, if not identical, to the aldehyde dehydrogenase found in hepatocellular carcinomas, simplifies the development of molecular probes for examination of the regulation of tumor aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in vivo and in vitro.     

Characterization of aldehyde dehydrogenase from HTC rat hepatoma cells

We have proposed developing rat hepatoma cell lines as an in vitro model for studying the regulation of changes in aldehyde dehydrogenase activity occurring during hepatocarcinogenesis. Aldehyde dehydrogenase purified in a single step from HTC rat hepatoma cells is identical to the aldehyde dehydrogenase isolated from rat hepatocellular carcinomas. HTC aldehyde dehydrogenase is a 100 kDa dimer composed of 54-kDa subunits, prefers NADP+ as coenzyme, and preferentially oxidizes benzaldehyde-like aromatic aldehydes but not phenylacetaldehyde. The substrate and coenzyme specificity, effects of disulfiram, pH profile and isoelectric point of HTC aldehyde dehydrogenase are also identical to these same properties of the tumor aldehyde dehydrogenase. In immunodiffusion, both isozymes are recognized with complete identity by anti-HTC aldehyde dehydrogenase antibodies. Having established that HTC aldehyde dehydrogenase is very similar, if not identical, to the aldehyde dehydrogenase found in hepatocellular carcinomas, simplifies the development of molecular probes for examination of the regulation of tumor aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in vivo and in vitro.     

Purification and Properties of Catalasc from a Methanol-utilizing Yeast,Candida sp. N-16

Defatted soybean extract was fractionated into protein fractions and low molecular weight fractions with gel filtration. NAD-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase from bovine liver mitochondria and from yeast was found to oxidize aldehyde in both fractions. These enzymes, therefore, were used to determine the quantity of aldehyde. When the protein fraction obtained by gel filtration was subjected to gel filtration again, aldehyde was recovered in the protein fractions. The level of aldehyde in the protein fractions was unchanged before and after digestion of the protein with pepsin. When the soybean extract was incubated beforehand with aldehyde dehydrogenase and NAD⁺ and the subjected to gel filtration, no aldehyde was detected in the protein fractions. These results indicate that aldehyde dehydrogenase acts on the soybean protein-bound aldehyde. Alcohol dehydrogenase from horse liver in the presence of NADH did not convert the bound aldehyde to alcohol.

A large portion of the aldehyde in the extract was separated from the protein by acid precipitation of the protein. Aldehyde dehydrogenase acts on the aldehyde remaining in the protein after acid precipitation. Thus acid precipitation helps to save NAD⁺ required for complete removal of aldehyde from the soybean protein by aldehyde dehydrogenase.     

Evidence for mitochondrial localization of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase in rat liver: purification, characterization, and comparison with human cytoplasmic E3 isozyme.

Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase has been purified to homogeneity from rat liver mitochondria. The properties of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase were similar to those of human cytoplasmic E3 isozyme in substrate specificity and kinetic constants for substrates. The primary structure of four tryptic peptides was also similar; only two substitutions, at most, per peptide were observed. Thus, betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase is not a specific enzyme, as formerly believed; activity with betaine aldehyde is a property of aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3), which has broad substrate specificity. Up to the present time the enzyme was thought to be cytoplasmic in mammals. This report establishes, for the first time, mitochondrial subcellular localization for aldehyde dehydrogenase, which dehydrogenates betaine aldehyde, and its colocalization with choline dehydrogenase. Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenation is an important function in the metabolism of choline to betaine, a major osmolyte. Betaine is also important in mammalian organisms as a major methyl group donor and nitrogen source. This is the first purification and characterization of mitochondrial betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase from any mammalian species.     

Subcellular distribution and properties of aldehyde dehydrogenase from 2-acetylaminofluorine-induced rat hepatomas

The subcellular distribution and properties of four aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzymes (I-IV) identified in 2-acetylaminofluorene-induced rat hepatomas and three aldehyde dehydrogenases (I-III) identified in normal rat liver are compared. In normal liver, mitochondria (50%) and microsomal fraction (27%) possess the majority of the aldehyde dehydrogenase, with cytosol possessing little, if any, activity. Isoenzymes I-III can be identified in both fractions and differ from each other on the basis of substrate and coenzyme specificity, substrate K(m), inhibition by disulfiram and anti-(hepatoma aldehyde dehydrogenase) sera, and/or isoelectric point. Hepatomas possess considerable cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase (20%), in addition to mitochondrial (23%) and microsomal (35%) activity. Although isoenzymes I-III are present in tumour mitochondrial and microsomal fractions, little isoenzyme I or II is found in cytosol. Of hepatoma cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, 50% is a hepatoma-specific isoenzyme (IV), differing in several properties from isoenzymes I-III; the remainder of the tumour cytosolic activity is due to isoenzyme III (48%). The data indicate that the tumour-specific aldehyde dehydrogenase phenotype is explainable by qualitative and quantitative changes involving primarily cytosolic and microsomal aldehyde dehydrogenase. The qualitative change requires the derepression of a gene for an aldehyde dehydrogenase expressed in normal liver only after exposure to potentially harmful xenobiotics. The quantitative change involves both an increase in activity and a change in subcellular location of a basal normal-liver aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzyme.     

Aldehyde dehydrogenase of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus.

The aldehyde dehydrogenase (Aldehyde:NAD(P) oxidoreductase E.C. 1.2.1.3. and 1.2.1.5) phenotype in several tissues of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, has been established. The tissue distribution of gerbil aldehyde dehydrogenase is similar to that of the rat, with liver possessing the majority of the aldehyde dehydrognease activity. Male kidney and testis possess significantly more activity than female kidney and ovary. The substrate and co-enzyme specificity of gerbil liver aldehyde dehydrogenase is also similar to that of rat and mouse liver. Gel isoelectric focusing resolves one major gerbil liver aldehyde dehydrogenase isozyme at pI 5.3. Mouse liver is resolved into two major isozymes at pIs 5.3 and 5.6 and rat liver aldehyde dehydrogenase into one major isozyme at pI 5.4. Gerbil liver aldehyde dehydrogenase is functional over a broad pH range with an optima at pH 9.0. Rat and mouse liver aldehyde dehydrogenase possess sharp pH optima at pH 8.5.