Characterization and purification of a mammalian osmoregulatory protein, aldose reductase, induced in renal medullary cells by high extracellular NaCl

GRB-PAP1 is a continuous line of epithelial cells derived from a rabbit renal inner medulla. Elevation of the NaCl concentration in the medium bathing these cells strongly induced the expression of a soluble protein with an apparent molecular mass of 39 kDa. The protein, purified by affinity chromatography with Amicon Matrex Gel Orange A, had enzyme activity characteristic of aldose reductase (alditol:NADPH+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.21). Goat antiserum against this purified aldose reductase selected the 39-kDa band from immunoblots of cells grown in a medium containing high NaCl. When the osmolality of the medium was increased by adding NaCl, the amount of aldose reductase protein and the aldose reductase activity increased together from very low to sustained high levels over several days. The aldose reductase protein was more than 10% of the soluble cell protein when cells were propagated in medium made hyperosmotic by adding NaCl to increase medium osmolality to 600 mosm.kg-1.     

Binding of an aldose reductase inhibitor to renal glomeruli

The aldose reductase inhibitor Sorbinil affects several membrane-associated complexes including Na/K-ATPase activity, transport processes, and impulse propagation. These considerations, coupled with the drug's aromatic nature, suggested the possibility of direct interaction with cell membranes. In the present study, binding of [3H]-Sorbinil to isolated glomeruli was demonstrated. Binding is dose-dependent and saturable, and can be inhibited by increasing concentrations of unlabeled Sorbinil. These results may help explain the compound's diverse effects on membrane-associated processes.     

Role of aldose reductase in TGF-β1-induced fibronectin synthesis in human mesangial cells

Accumulation of glomerular extracellular matrix (ECM) may result in glomerulosclerosis. Several lines of evidence indicate a key role for transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in glomerular ECM synthesis and degradation, such as fibronectin (FN). Aldose reductase (AR) was proven to be one of the TGF-β1 responsive genes in cultured rat mesangial cells using the SSH–PCR method and there were positive correlation between the AR and TGF-β1 in our previous studies. So we assumed that AR could regulate FN synthesis. In this study, we explored the role of AR in FN production and possible mechanism involved. The expression of AR, FN and c-Jun proteins were analyzed by Western blot and the activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1) was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Our results showed that AR could mediate the TGF-β1-induced FN production, which may associate with AP-1 activation.     

Novel synthesis of nitro-quinoxalinone derivatives as aldose reductase inhibitors

A novel, non-acid series of nitroquinoxalinone derivatives was synthesized and tested for their inhibitory activity against aldose reductase as targeting enzyme. All active compounds displayed an 8-nitro group, and showed significant activity in IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.54 to 18.17 μM. Among them 6,7-dichloro-5,8-dinitro-3-phenoxyquinoxalin-2(1H)-one (7e), exhibited the strongest aldose reductase activity with an IC₅₀ value of 1.54 μM and a good SAR (structure–activity relationship) profile.     

Metabolic regulation of aldose reductase activity by nitric oxide donors

Regulation of aldose reductase (AR), a member of the aldo–keto reductase superfamily, by nitric oxide (NO) donors was examined. Incubation of human recombinant AR with S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) led to inactivation of the enzyme and the formation of an AR-glutathione adduct. In contrast, incubation with S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) or N-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-SNAP (GlycoSNAP) led to an increase in enzyme activity which was accompanied by the direct nitrosation of the enzyme and the formation of a mixed disulfide with the NO-donor. To examine in vivo modification, red blood cells (RBC) and rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were incubated with 1 mM GSNO or SNAP. Exposure of VSMC to SNAP and GSNO for 2 h at 37°C led to ∼71% decrease in the enzyme activity with dl-glyceraldehyde as the substrate. Similarly, exposure of RBC in 5 mM glucose to NO-donors for 30 min at room temperature, followed by increasing the glucose concentration to 40 mM, resulted in >75% decrease in the formation of sorbitol. These investigations indicate that NO and/or its bioactive metabolites can regulate cellular AR, leading to either activation (by nitrosation) or inactivation (by S-thiolation).     

Metabolic regulation of aldose reductase activity by nitric oxide donors

Regulation of aldose reductase (AR), a member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily, by nitric oxide (NO) donors was examined. Incubation of human recombinant AR with S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) led to inactivation of the enzyme and the formation of an AR-glutathione adduct. In contrast, incubation with S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) or N-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-SNAP (GlycoSNAP) led to an increase in enzyme activity which was accompanied by the direct nitrosation of the enzyme and the formation of a mixed disulfide with the NO-donor. To examine in vivo modification, red blood cells (RBC) and rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were incubated with 1 mM GSNO or SNAP. Exposure of VSMC to SNAP and GSNO for 2 h at 37 degrees C led to approximately 71% decrease in the enzyme activity with DL-glyceraldehyde as the substrate. Similarly, exposure of RBC in 5 mM glucose to NO-donors for 30 min at room temperature, followed by increasing the glucose concentration to 40 mM, resulted in >75% decrease in the formation of sorbitol. These investigations indicate that NO and/or its bioactive metabolites can regulate cellular AR, leading to either activation (by nitrosation) or inactivation (by S-thiolation).     

Multiplicity of dog kidney high-Km aldose reductase and conversion mechanism into aldose reductase

• 1.1. High-K_m, aldose reductase purified from dog kidney inner medulla was easily converted into aldose reductase by incubation in the neutral buffer solution.
• 2.2. High-K_m, aldose reductase was found to be in multiple forms, and was separated into three kinds of species designated as a-, b- and c-forms by HPLC.
• 3.3. The a-form observed as a single peak by HPLC was assumed to be present in three forms (al-, a2- and a3-forms), one was aldose reductase (a 1-form) and the others were the precursors of aldose reductase (a2- and a3-form).
• 4.4. The b-form was rapidly converted into the a3-form, followed slowly by the a2-form and finally into the a 1-form.
• 5.5. The c-form was either directly converted into the al-form, or indirectly into the a2-form followed by the al-form.
• 6.6. Four kinds of species (a2-, a3-, b- and c-forms) of high-Ap, aldose reductase were finally converted into aldose reductase (al-form).

     

Immunohistochemical distribution of aldose reductase

Summary Aldose reductase (AR) has been purified from canine kidneys., and a monospecific antibody against the enzyme prepared. These antibodies were used in an immunohistochemical test to detect tissue sites of aldose reductase in the dog, a species known to develop diabetic lesions morphologically identical to those seen in diabetic patients. Using this method, the enzyme has been demonstrated in numerous cell types, including lens, epithelium, aortic endothelium and smooth muscle, Schwann cells of peripheral nerves, and, in the kidney, interstitial cells and cells of Henlés loop and the collecting tubules. Many other cells and tissues, including capillaries throughout the body, lack immunoreactive aldose reductase. The distribution of the immunoreactive enzyme is compatible with a potential role of the enzyme in the aetiology of some complications of diabetes, namely cataract, neuropathy, macroangiopathy and renal papillary necrosis, but not the microvascular complications.     

Upregulation of aldose reductase by homocysteine in type II alveolar epithelial cells

Homocysteine (Hcy) has recently been recognized as an integral component of several disorders. However, the association between hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and pulmonary disease is not well understood. The combination of two-dimensional electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry detected and identified proteins that are differentially expressed in human type II alveolar epithelial cells (A549 cells) treated by Hcy. We found that aldose reductase (AR) showed more abundant expression in the cells. Further, Hcy (100-500microM) could induce a time- and dose-dependent upregulation of AR protein levels. Immunohistochemical staining of cross-sections from HHcy mice lungs also revealed increased expression of AR protein. Intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were remarkably elevated in A549 cells treated with Hcy. Pretreatment of A549 cells with catalase and SOD significantly suppressed the Hcy-induced AR expression, which suggests the involvement of ROS in this process. The major signaling pathway mediating the upregulation of AR was demonstrated to be the Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 pathway. In addition, Hcy might reduce surfactant protein B (SP-B) expression in the cells, which could be significantly attenuated by Alrestatin, an AR inhibitor, indicating a damaging role of Hcy-induced AR elevation in the lung. These results show a novel and unanticipated link between HHcy and AR upregulation that may be a risk factor in pulmonary disease of patients with HHcy.     

Osmotic regulation of PhoE porin synthesis in Escherichia coli.

In Escherichia coli, adaptation to hyperosmotic conditions alters the expression of the outer membrane porins OmpF and OmpC. The amount of PhoE porin, which is normally induced by phosphate deprivation, was greatly reduced in cells adapted to high-osmolarity conditions. Osmoregulation of PhoE operated independently of the activity of the PhoR phosphate sensor and did not involve cross-talk from the homologous osmosensor EnvZ. PhoE synthesis was partially restored by additional copies of the positive regulator phoB+ and by the osmoprotectant glycine betaine.     

Effects on rat renal osmolytes of extended treatment with an aldose reductase inhibitor

1. The mammalian renal medulla uses sorbitol, myo-inositol, betaine and glycerophosphorylcholine as intracellular osmolytes.2. Sorbitol synthesis was inhibited by feeding male Wistar rats the aldose reductase inhibitor sorbinil at 40 mg/kg/day for 71 d, and renal inner medullas were extracted for analysis.3. Aldose reductase activities and sorbitol contents were greatly reduced in sorbinil-treated animals, while betaine contents increased significantly (with no other osmolytes changing).4. The betaine increase compensated for the sorbitol decrease such that the total organic osmolytes maintained the same ratio to sodium contents as controls.5. These results are identical to the pattern previously reported for sorbinil treatment of rats for 10 d, but not for 21 d.     

Immunoquantitation of aldose reductase in human tissues

Rabbit antibodies raised against bovine kidney aldose reductase (ALR2) were shown to be monospecific for human ALR2 by Western blot analysis of human muscle homogenates. The human enzyme was detected, by reaction with the antiserum (alpha-BKALR2), in homogenates of adrenal gland, muscle, lens, brain, testes, kidney, and placenta, but not in erythrocytes or leukocytes. The amount of enzyme in each tissue was determined by densitometric analysis of autoradiographs of Western blots probed with alpha-BKALR2 and [125I]protein A. Standard curves of radiographic intensity versus amount of purified human muscle ALR2 were linear in the 20 to 200-ng range; a similar sensitivity was seen in tissue homogenates containing up to 675 micrograms total protein. The results presented here for the ALR2 level in human tissues (adrenal greater than muscle greater than lens approximately brain approximately testes greater than kidney approximately placenta) are in agreement with literature values for those tissues from which the enzyme has previously been purified. A notable exception was the absence of detectable ALR2 in human erythrocytes. A quantitative comparison of immunoradiographic response showed that bovine kidney ALR2 was about sevenfold more reactive with a alpha-BKALR2 compared to the human muscle enzyme.