Reactions of heme peroxidases with peroxynitrite

The interaction of peroxynitrite, produced by ozonation of azide, with two heme peroxidases (horseradish peroxidase and lactoperoxidase) was studied. Enzymes retained full activity after incubation with peroxynitrite at neutral pH. Lactoperoxidase alone was found to catalyze peroxynitrite decomposition, whereas horseradish peroxidase accelerated peroxynitrite decomposition only in the presence of certain substrates. For example, in the presence of guaiacol the catalyzing effect was clear, but in the presence of trolox was only noticeable.     

Tryparedoxin peroxidases from Trypanosoma cruzi: high efficiency in the catalytic elimination of hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite

During host cell infection, Trypanosoma cruzi parasites are exposed to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. As part of their antioxidant defense systems, they express two tryparedoxin peroxidases (TXNPx), thiol-dependent peroxidases members of the peroxiredoxin family. In this work, we report a kinetic characterization of cytosolic (c-TXNPx) and mitochondrial (m-TXNPx) tryparedoxin peroxidases from T. cruzi. Both c-TXNPx and m-TXNPx rapidly reduced hydrogen peroxide (k = 3.0 × 10⁷ and 6 × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at pH 7.4 and 25 °C, respectively) and peroxynitrite (k = 1.0 × 10⁶ and k = 1.8 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at pH 7.4 and 25 °C, respectively). The reductive part of the catalytic cycle was also studied, and the rate constant for the reduction of c-TXNPx by tryparedoxin I was 1.3 × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The catalytic role of two conserved cysteine residues in both TXNPxs was confirmed with the identification of Cys52 and Cys173 (in c-TXNPX) and Cys81 and Cys204 (in m-TXNPx) as the peroxidatic and resolving cysteines, respectively. Our results indicate that mitochondrial and cytosolic TXNPxs from T. cruzi are highly efficient peroxidases that reduce hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite, and contribute to the understanding of their role as virulence factors reported in vivo.     

Reaction of phenylaminoethyl selenides with peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide

Peroxynitrite, a reactive cytotoxic species generated by the reaction of superoxide with nitric oxide, rapidly oxidizes phenylaminoethyl selenide (PAESe) and its para-substituted derivatives with second-order rate constants ranging from 900 to 3000 M(-1) s(-1) at neutral pH (pH 7.0) and 25 degrees C. These values are approximately 3 x 10(4) times greater than the corresponding rate constants for the reactions of selenides with hydrogen peroxide. The peroxynitrite reaction was also studied at alkaline pH. HPLC analysis confirms that both the peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide reactions produced the corresponding phenylaminoethyl selenoxide (PAESeO) as the sole selenium-containing product, with a stoichiometry of 1 mol of PAESe oxidized per 1 mol of PAESeO formed per 1 mol of oxidant reacted. The influence of para-substituents on the rate constants was investigated using Hammett plots; in both cases the data are consistent with an S(N)2-type mechanism, wherein the selenium atom acts as the nucleophile. Our results provide further evidence that organoselenium compounds may play a protective role in the defense against the many reactive oxidizing species produced in cellular metabolism.     

Oxidases,peroxidases and hydrogen peroxide: The suberin connection

Suberin is a biopolymer present in some plant cell walls that modifies their biophysical properties. It contains both poly(phenolic) and poly(aliphatic) domains that are unique and distinct in both their chemical composition and tissue and sub-cellular location. The biosynthesis of the suberin poly(phenolic) domain is hypothesized to follow a peroxidase-mediated oxidative coupling process. In order for this to work, however, there has to be a peroxidase located at the site of suberin poly(phenolic) domain assembly, as well as a source of hydrogen peroxide to enable its function. This review focuses on the involvement of peroxidases in the macromolecular assembly of the poly(phenolic) domain of suberized tissues, with particular attention to the process in solanaceous plants, (where it has been most intensively studied), and addresses the question of the origin of the hydrogen peroxide essential to it.     

Steady-state kinetics of yeast cytochrome c peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of inorganic reductants by hydrogen peroxide

Rates of yeast cytochrome c peroxidase (ferrocytochrome c:hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.5) catalyzed oxidation of bis(tripyridine)cobalt(II) ion, penta(amine)pyridineruthenium(II) ion and ferrocyanide ion by hydrogen peroxide have been found to obey the empirical equation: (formula; see text) in the pH range 5 to 8, and at saturating H2O2 concentrations. [( S] and [CcP] are the concentrations of the reductant and the enzyme, respectively.) Values of k2 were found to be independent of the reductant. The term k0[S] is only significant with the cobalt and ruthenium complexes at high pH. The mechanism proposed to account for this rate equation differs significantly from previous mechanistic proposals. In particular, the rate data require the assignment of the rate-limiting step at high substrate concentrations to a slow electron-transfer within the enzyme, and not, as previously suggested, to saturation of substrate binding to the enzyme. Also, the term k0[S] implies that the reactive substrates, including the natural substrate (yeast cytochrome c), react with the hydrogen peroxide-heme complex and not with the radical species formed by reaction with hydrogen peroxide in the absence of reductants.     

Sulfenic acid formation in human serum albumin by hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite

Human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant protein in plasma, has been proposed to have an antioxidant role. The main feature responsible for this property is its only thiol, Cys34, which comprises approximately 80% of the total free thiols in plasma and reacts preferentially with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Herein, we show that the thiol in HSA reacted with hydrogen peroxide with a second-order rate constant of 2.26 M(-1) s(-1) at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C and a 1:1 stoichiometry. The formation of intermolecular disulfide dimers was not observed, suggesting that the thiol was being oxidized beyond the disulfide. With the reagent 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol (NBD-Cl), we were able to detect the formation of sulfenic acid (HSA-SOH) from the UV-vis spectra of its adduct. The formation of sulfenic acid in Cys34 was confirmed by mass spectrometry using 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione (dimedone). Sulfenic acid was also formed from exposure of HSA to peroxynitrite, the product of the reaction between nitric oxide and superoxide radicals, in the absence or in the presence of carbon dioxide. The latter suggests that sulfenic acid can also be formed through free radical pathways since following reaction with carbon dioxide, peroxynitrite yields carbonate radical anion and nitrogen dioxide. Sulfenic acid in HSA was remarkably stable, with approximately 15% decaying after 2 h at 37 degrees C under aerobic conditions. The formation of glutathione disulfide and mixed HSA-glutathione disulfide was determined upon reaction of hydrogen peroxide-treated HSA with glutathione. Thus, HSA-SOH is proposed to serve as an intermediate in the formation of low molecular weight disulfides, which are the predominant plasma form of low molecular weight thiols, and in the formation of mixed HSA disulfides, which are present in approximately 25% of circulating HSA.     

Radical production from free and peptide-bound methionine sulfoxide oxidation by peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide/iron(II)

Methionine sulfoxide is a post-translational protein modification that has been receiving increasing attention in the literature. Here we used electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping techniques to show that free and peptide-bound methionine sulfoxide is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide/iron(II)-EDTA and peroxynitrite through the intermediacy of the hydroxyl radical to produce both *CH3 and *CH2CH2CH radicals. The results indicate that methionine sulfoxide residues are important targets of reactive oxygen- and nitrogen-derived species in proteins. Since the produced protein-derived radicals can propagate oxidative damage, the results add a new antioxidant route for the action of the enzyme peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase.     

Reactions of the class II peroxidases, lignin peroxidase and Arthromyces ramosus peroxidase, with hydrogen peroxide. Catalase-like activity, compound III formation, and enzyme inactivation

The reactions of the fungal enzymes Arthromyces ramosus peroxidase (ARP) and Phanerochaete chrysosporium lignin peroxidase (LiP) with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) have been studied. Both enzymes exhibited catalase activity with hyperbolic H(2)O(2) concentration dependence (K(m) approximately 8-10 mm, k(cat) approximately 1-3 s(-1)). The catalase and peroxidase activities of LiP were inhibited within 10 min and those of ARP in 1 h. The inactivation constants were calculated using two independent methods; LiP, k(i) approximately 19 x 10(-3) s(-1); ARP, k(i) approximately 1.6 x 10(-3) s(-1). Compound III (oxyperoxidase) was detected as the majority species after the addition of H(2)O(2) to LiP or ARP, and its formation was accompanied by loss of enzyme activity. A reaction scheme is presented which rationalizes the turnover and inactivation of LiP and ARP with H(2)O(2). A similar model is applicable to horseradish peroxidase. The scheme links catalase and compound III forming catalytic pathways and inactivation at the level of the [compound I.H(2)O(2)] complex. Inactivation does not occur from compound III. All peroxidases studied to date are sensitive to inactivation by H(2)O(2), and it is suggested that the model will be generally applicable to peroxidases of the plant, fungal, and prokaryotic superfamily.     

Copper-catalyzed DNA damage by ascorbate and hydrogen peroxide: kinetics and yield

Time profiles for degradation of DNA via reaction of H2O2 with the DNA-Cu+ complex were analyzed over a wide range of concentrations of the components. The yield of DNA damage per H2O2 molecule is 10 times lower than that obtained with gamma-radiolytically generated .OH radicals. The observations can be explained by a model in which H2O2 reacts, slowly on the one hand with DNA-Cu+ by formation of toxic .OH radicals immediately at the DNA and faster on the other hand with Cu+ in the bulk solution by formation of less toxic Cu(III) intermediates.     

Mediatorless electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide at graphite electrodes chemically modified with peroxidases

The electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂ was studied for carbonaceous electrodes modified with horse-radish peroxidase (HRP), microperoxidase (MP), and lactoperoxidase (LP). The carbonaceous electrodes were of three different graphites, carbon and glassy carbon. The peroxidase modified electrode was inserted as the working electrode in a flow through amperometric cell of the wall jet type and connected to a flow injection system. The effect of different pretreatments of the electrode surface prior to adsorption of the enzyme was investigated. Heating the electrodes in a muffle furnace at 700°C for 1.5 min was found to yield the highest currents. The electrocatalytic current for HRP-modified electrodes starts at about +600 mV vs. Ag/AgCl (pH 7.0) and reaches a maximum value at about −200 mV. For MP- and LP-modified electrodes the currents start at a lower potential (≈ 300 mV). For the best electrode material for HRP, straight calibration curves were obtained between 1 and 500 μM H₂O₂ at 0 mV. The mechanism for the electron transfer from the electrode to the adsorbed peroxidase is discussed. Deliberate modification of the electrode surface with quinoid type electroactive species was found to mediate the reaction. It is proposed that spontaneously occurring electrochemically active surface groups mediate the electron transfer to the adsorbed enzyme. However, a contribution to the observed current from a direct electron transfer cannot be ruled out.     

Kinetics of formation of the primary compound (compound I) from hydrogen peroxide and turnip peroxidases.

A kinetic study of the reaction of two turnip peroxidases (P1 and P7) with hydrogen peroxide to form the primary oxidized compound (compound I) has been carried out over the pH range from 2.4 to 10.8. In the neutral and acidic pH regions, the rates depend linearly on hydrogen peroxide concentration whereas at alkaline pH values the rates display saturation kinetics. A compound is made with the cyanide binding reaction to peroxidases since the two reactions are influenced in the same manner by ionization of groups on the native enzymes. Two different ionization processes of peroxidase P1 with pKa values of 3.9 and 10 are required to explain the rate pH profile for the reaction with H2O2. Protonation of the former group and ionization of the latter causes a decrease in the rate of reaction of the enzyme with H2O2. In the case of peroxidase P7 a minimum model involves three ionizable groups with pKa values of 2.5, 4 and 9. Protonation of the former two groups and ionization of the latter lowers the reaction rate. In the pH-independent region, the rate of formation of compound I was measured as a function of temperature. From the Arhenius plots the activation energy for the reaction was calculated to be 2.9 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol for P1 and 5.4 +/- 0.3 kcal/mol for P7. However, the rates are independent of viscosity in glycerol-water mixtures up to 30% glycerol.     

Cysteine oxidation of tau and microtubule-associated protein-2 by peroxynitrite: modulation of microtubule assembly kinetics by the thioredoxin reductase system

Alterations in the redox status of proteins have been implicated in the pathology of several neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. We report that peroxynitrite- and hydrogen peroxide-induced disulfides in the neuron-specific microtubule-associated proteins tau and microtubule-associated protein-2 are substrates for the ubiquitous thioredoxin reductase system composed of thioredoxin reductase, human or Escherichia coli thioredoxin, and NADPH. Tau and microtubule-associated protein-2 cysteine oxidation and reduction were quantitated by monitoring the incorporation of 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein, a thiol-specific labeling reagent. Cysteine oxidation of tau and microtubule-associated protein-2 to disulfides altered the ability of the proteins to promote the assembly of microtubules from purified porcine tubulin. Treatment of tau and microtubule-associated protein-2 with either the thioredoxin reductase system or small molecule reductants fully restores the ability of the MAPs to promote microtubule assembly. Thus changes in the redox state of microtubule-associated proteins may regulate microtubule polymerization in vivo.     

Reaction of peroxynitrite with reduced nicotinamide nucleotides, the formation of hydrogen peroxide.

NAD(P)H acts as a two-electron reductant in physiological, enzyme-controlled processes. Under nonenzymatic conditions, a couple of one-electron oxidants easily oxidize NADH to the NAD(.) radical. This radical reduces molecular oxygen to the superoxide radical (O-(2)) at a near to the diffusion-controlled rate, thereby subsequently forming hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Because peroxynitrite can act as a one-electron oxidant, the reaction of NAD(P)H with both authentic peroxynitrite and the nitric oxide ((. )NO) and O-(2) releasing compound 3-morpholinosydnonimine N-ethylcarbamide (SIN-1) was studied. Authentic peroxynitrite oxidized NADH with an efficiency of approximately 25 and 8% in the absence and presence of bicarbonate/carbon dioxide (HCO(3)(-)/CO(2)), respectively. NADH reacted 5-100 times faster with peroxynitrite than do the known peroxynitrite scavengers glutathione, cysteine, and tryptophan. Furthermore, NADH was found to be highly effective in suppressing peroxynitrite-mediated nitration reactions even in the presence of HCO(3)(-)/CO(2). Reaction of NADH with authentic peroxynitrite resulted in the formation of NAD(+) and O-(2) and, thus, of H(2)O(2) with yields of about 3 and 10% relative to the added amounts of peroxynitrite and NADH, respectively. Peroxynitrite generated in situ from SIN-1 gave virtually the same results; however, two remarkable exceptions were recognized. First, the efficiency of NADH oxidation increased to 60-90% regardless of the presence of HCO(3)(-)/CO(2), along with an increase of H(2)O(2) formation to about 23 and 35% relative to the amounts of added SIN-1 and NADH. Second, and more interesting, the peroxynitrite scavenger glutathione (GSH) was needed in a 75-fold surplus to inhibit the SIN-1-dependent oxidation of NADH half-maximal in the presence of HCO(3)(-)/CO(2). Similar results were obtained with NADPH. Hence, peroxynitrite or radicals derived from it (such as, e.g. the bicarbonate radical or nitrogen dioxide) indeed oxidize NADH, leading to the formation of NAD(+) and, via O-(2), of H(2)O(2). When peroxynitrite is generated in situ in the presence of HCO(3)(-)/CO(2), i.e. under conditions mimicking the in vivo situation, NAD(P)H effectively competes with other known scavengers of peroxynitrite.     

Interaction of peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide with dinitrosyl iron complexes containing thiol ligands in vitro

The interaction of peroxynitrite with thiolate dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNIC) has been examined and compared with the interaction with H2O2. Peroxynitrite oxidized DNIC containing various thiolate ligands--cysteine, glutathione, and bovine serum albumin. Analysis of the oxidation suggested a two-electron reaction and gave third-order rate constants of (9.3 +/- 0.5).109 M-2.sec-1 for DNIC with BSA, (4.0 +/- 0.3).108 M-2.sec-1 for DNIC with cysteine, and (1. 8 +/- 0.3).107 M-2.sec-1 for DNIC with glutathione at 20 degrees C and pH 7.6. Peroxynitrite was more reactive towards DNIC than towards sulfhydryls. Addition of sodium dithionite after the reaction led to significant restoration of the EPR signal of DNIC with cysteine. The reaction of glutathione DNIC with H2O2 was about 600 times slower than with ONOO- and not reversed by sodium dithionite. Thus peroxynitrite, in contrast to hydrogen peroxide, changes the pool of nitrosocompounds which can be responsible for interconversion, storage, and transportation of nitric oxide in vivo.     

Role of peroxidase in lignification of tobacco cells : I. Oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and formation of hydrogen peroxide by cell wall peroxidases

The two peroxidase isoenzyme groups (G_I and G_III) localized in the cell walls of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) tissues were compared with respect to their capacity for NADH-dependent H₂O₂ formation. Peroxidases of the G_III group are slightly more active than those of the G_I group when both are assayed under optimal conditions. This difference is probably not of major regulatory importance. NADH-dependent formation of H₂O₂ required the presence of Mn²⁺ and a phenol as cofactors. The addition of H₂O₂ to the reaction mixture accelerated subsequent NADH-dependent H₂O₂ formation. In the presence of both cofactors or Mn²⁺ alone, catalase oxidized NADH. However, if the cofactors were absent or if only dichlorophenol was present, catalase inhibited NADH oxidation. No H₂O₂ accumulation occurred in the presence of catalase. Superoxide dismutase inhibited NADH oxidation quite significantly indicating the involvement of the superoxide radical in the peroxidase reaction. These results are interpreted to mean that the reactions whereby tobacco cell wall peroxidases catalyze NADH-dependent H₂O₂ formation are similar to those proposed for horseradish peroxidase (Halliwell 1978 Planta 140: 81-88).     

Impact of SOD in eNOS uncoupling: a two-edged sword between hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite

In endothelial cell dysfunction, the uncoupling of eNOS results in higher superoxide (O₂^??) and lower NO production and a reduction in NO availability. Superoxide reacts with NO to form a potent oxidizing agent peroxynitrite (ONOO^?) resulting in nitrosative and nitroxidative stresses and dismutates to form hydrogen peroxide. Studies have shown superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays an important role in reduction of O₂^?? and ONOO^? during eNOS uncoupling. However, the administration or over-expression of SOD was ineffective or displayed deleterious effects in some cases. An understanding of interactions of the two enzyme systems eNOS and SOD is important in determining endothelial cell function. We analyzed complex biochemical interactions involving eNOS and SOD in eNOS uncoupling. A computational model of biochemical pathway of the eNOS-related NO and O₂^?? production and downstream reactions involving NO, O₂^??, ONOO^?, H₂O₂ and SOD was developed. The effects of SOD concentration on the concentration profiles of NO, O₂^??, ONOO^? and H₂O₂ in eNOS coupling/uncoupling were investigated. The results include (i) SOD moderately improves NO production and concentration during eNOS uncoupling, (ii) O₂^?? production rate is independent of SOD concentration, (iii) Increase in SOD concentration from 0.1 to 100 μM reduces O₂^?? concentration by 90% at all [BH₄]/[TBP] ratios, (iv) SOD reduces ONOO^? concentration and increases H₂O₂ concentration during eNOS uncoupling, (v) Catalase can reduce H₂O₂ concentration and (vi) Dismutation rate by SOD is the most sensitive parameter during eNOS uncoupling. Thus, SOD plays a dual role in eNOS uncoupling as an attenuator of nitrosative/nitroxidative stress and an augmenter of oxidative stress.     

Spectral and kinetic studies on the interaction between oxyhaemoglobin and peroxynitrite: a comparison with hydrogen peroxide.

Interaction between oxyhaemoglobin and peroxynitrite was studied using stopped-flow rapid-scan spectrophotometry. The influence of pH, peroxynitrite concentration and temperature on the pseudo-first-order rate constants was studied and the activation energy calculated. The kinetic curve for the oxyhaemoglobin-peroxynitrite reaction showed that a fast reaction occurred in the initial seconds, followed by a slow process of decrease in absorbance. The biphasic reaction kinetics of oxyhaemoglobin with peroxynitrite or hydrogen peroxide demonstrated the existence of an intermediary species. For the first time a rapid-scan stopped-flow spectrophotometry study is presented, yielding spectral and kinetic data of the reaction.