Hypochlorite-induced oxidation of thiols: formation of thiyl radicals and the role of sulfenyl chlorides as intermediates

Activated phagocytic cells generate hypochlorite (HOCl) via release of hydrogen peroxide and the enzyme myeloperoxidase. HOCl plays an important role in bacterial cell killing, but excessive or misplaced production of HOCl is also known to cause tissue damage. Studies have shown that low-molecular-weight thiols such as reduced glutathione (GSH), and sulfur-containing amino acids in proteins, are major targets for HOCl. Radicals have not generally been implicated as intermediates in thiol oxidation by HOCl, though there is considerable literature evidence for the involvement of radicals in the metal ion-, thermal- or UV light-catalysed decomposition of sulfenyl or sulfonyl chlorides which are postulated intermediates in thiol oxidation. In this study we show that thiyl radicals are generated on reaction of a number of low-molecular-weight thiols with HOCl. With sub-stoichiometric amounts of HOCl, relative to the thiol, thiyl radicals are the major species detected by EPR spin trapping. When the HOCl is present in excess over the thiol, additional radicals are detected with compounds which contain amine functions; these additional radicals are assigned to nitrogen-centered species. Evidence is presented for the involvement of sulfenyl chlorides (RSCl) in the formation of these radicals, and studies with an authentic sulfenyl chloride have demonstrated that this compound readily decomposes in thermal-, metal-ion- or light-catalysed reactions to give thiyl radicals. The formation of thiyl radicals on oxidation of thiols with HOCl appears to compete with non-radical reactions. The circumstances under which radical formation may be important are discussed.     

Generation and electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping detection of thiyl radicals in model proteins and in the R1 subunit of Escherichia coli ribonucleotide reductase.

In the Escherichia coli class Ia ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), the best characterized RNR, there is no spectroscopic evidence for the existence of the postulated catalytically essential thiyl radical (R-S(*)) in the substrate binding subunit R1. We report first results on artificially generated thiyl radicals in R1 using two different methods: chemical oxidation by Ce(IV)/nitrilotriacetate (NTA) and laser photolysis of nitric oxide from nitrosylated cysteines. In both cases, EPR spin trapping at room temperature using phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone, and controls with chemically blocked cysteines, has shown that the observed spin adduct originates from thiyl radicals. The EPR line shape of the protein-bound spin adduct is typical for slow motion of the nitroxide moiety, which indicates that the majority of trapped thiyl radicals are localized in a folded region of R1. In aerobic R1 samples without spin trap that were frozen after treatment with Ce(IV)/NTA or laser photolysis, we observed sulfinyl radicals (R-S(*)=O) assigned via their g-tensor components 2.0213, 2.0094, and 2.0018 and the hyperfine tensor components 1.0, 1.1, and 0.9 mT of one beta-proton. Sulfinyl radicals are the reaction products of thiyl radicals and oxygen and give additional evidence for generation of thiyl radicals in R1 by the procedures used.     

The effects of ionizing radiation on DNA: the role of thiols as radioprotectors

Electron loss from N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine (PSH) gave an EPR detectable radical anion, PS-.SP(-). When the PSH derivative was frozen in aqueous DNA solutions to 77 K and exposed to ionizing radiation, normal damage to the DNA was detected by EPR spectroscopy. However, on annealing above 77 K, central EPR features for the DNA base radical cations and anions gave central features assigned to PS-.SP(-) sigma*-radical anions, together with outer features for 5-6-dihydro-5-thymyl radicals, TH.. It is proposed that on freezing, the PSH molecules are constrained into a glassy region around the DNA, and that, on annealing, electron donation gives PS. radicals, with loss of quanine radical-cations, G(.+). The PS. radicals were not detectable, but on reaction with another PSH molecule, gave good EPR spectra for PS-.SP(-) radical-anions. These results indicate that PSH had little effect on the yield of the other base radicals C(.-)/T(.-). Also, growth of TH. radicals, formed from protonated thymine radical-anions, T(.-), were detected. We conclude that the primary effect of PSH is to capture the G(.+) centers, and thus could either prevent or repair radiation damage to DNA.     

Formation of radicals during heating lysine and glucose in solution with an intermediate water activity

Abstract

Heating glucose with lysine under alkaline conditions (pH 7.0–10.0) was found to take place with consumption of oxygen together with formation of brown-colored compounds. Highly reactive intermediary radicals were detected when lysine and glucose were heated at intermediate water activity at pH 7.0 and 8.0. The detection was based on initial trapping of highly reactive radicals by ethanol followed by spin trapping of 1-hydroxyethylradicals with α-(4-pyridyl N-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN) and Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The generation of reactive intermediary radicals from the Maillard reactions was favored by enhancing alkaline conditions (pH 8.0) and stimulated by presence of the transition metal ion Fe²⁺. The stability of the nitrone spin traps, N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone and POBN was examined in buffered aqueous solutions within the pH range 1–12, and found to be less temperature dependent at acidic pH compared to alkaline conditions. A low rate (k_obs) of hydrolysis of POBN was found at the used experimental conditions of 70°C and pH 7.0 and 8.0, which made this spin trap method suitable for the detection of radicals in the Maillard reaction system.     

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Spin Trapping Study of Radicals Formed During Reaction of Aromatic Amines with isoAmyl Nitrite Under Aprotic Conditions

Diazotization of primary aromatic amines with isoamyl nitrite in benzene at room temperature was studied employing EPR and spin trapping techniques. Nitrosodurene (ND). 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP). and 5,5-dimethyl-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) were used as spin trapping agents. Aryl radicals were detected employing ND and MNP. Using DMPO as a spin trap most of the amines produced EPR spectra ascribed to adducts with aniline-type radicals (N-centred radicals). The assignments were verified using ¹⁵JN-labeled anilines. Similar spectra of DMPO adducts were recorded from amines treated with benzoyl peroxide or benzophenone plus UV. Possible mechanisms of formation of these adducts (radical trapping versus nucleophilic addition to DMPO followed by oxidation) during treatment of the amines with isoamyl nitrite are discussed.     

Degradation of Hyaluronic Acid, Poly- and Mono-Saccharides, and Model Compounds by Hypochlorite: Evidence for Radical Intermediates and Fragmentation

Degradation of hyaluronic acid by oxidants such as HO^· and HOCl/ClO⁻ is believed to be important in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. While reaction of hyaluronic acid with HO^· has been investigated extensively, reaction with HOCl/ClO⁻ is less well defined. Thus, little is known about the site(s) of HOCl/ClO⁻ attack, the intermediates formed, or the mechanism(s) of polymer degradation. In this study reaction of HOCl/ClO⁻ with amides, sugars, polysaccharides, and hyaluronic acid has been monitored by UV-visible (220–340 nm) and EPR spectroscopy. UV-visible experiments have shown that HOCl/ClO⁻ reacts preferentially with N-acetyl groups. This reaction is believed to give rise to transient chloramide (R—NCl—C(O)—R′) species, which decompose rapidly to give radicals via either homolysis (to produce N· and Cl·) or heterolysis (one-electron reduction, to give N· and Cl⁻) of the N—Cl bond. The nature of the radicals formed has been investigated by EPR spin trapping. Reaction of HOCl/ClO⁻ with hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphates A and C, N-acetyl sugars, and amides gave novel, carbon-centered, spin adducts, the formation of which is consistent with selective initial attack at the N-acetyl group. Thus, reaction with hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate A, appears to be localized at the N-acetylglucosamine sugar rings. These carbon-centered radicals are suggested to arise from rapid rearrangement of initial nitrogen-centered radicals, formed from the N-acetyl chloramide, by reactions analogous to those observed with alkoxyl radicals. The detection of increasing yields of low-molecular-weight radical adducts from hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate A with increasing HOCl/ClO⁻ concentrations suggests that formation of the initial nitrogen-centered species on the N-acetylglucosamine rings, and the carbon-centered radicals derived from them, brings about polymer fragmentation.     

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Spin Trapping Study of Radicals Formed During Reaction of Aromatic Amines with isoAmyl Nitrite Under Aprotic Conditions

Diazotization of primary aromatic amines with isoamyl nitrite in benzene at room temperature was studied employing EPR and spin trapping techniques. Nitrosodurene (ND). 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP). and 5,5-dimethyl-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) were used as spin trapping agents. Aryl radicals were detected employing ND and MNP. Using DMPO as a spin trap most of the amines produced EPR spectra ascribed to adducts with aniline-type radicals (N-centred radicals). The assignments were verified using ¹⁵JN-labeled anilines. Similar spectra of DMPO adducts were recorded from amines treated with benzoyl peroxide or benzophenone plus UV. Possible mechanisms of formation of these adducts (radical trapping versus nucleophilic addition to DMPO followed by oxidation) during treatment of the amines with isoamyl nitrite are discussed.     

Singlet oxygen scavenging activity of tocopherol and plastochromanol in Arabidopsis thaliana: relevance to photooxidative stress

In the present study, singlet oxygen (¹O₂) scavenging activity of tocopherol and plastochromanol was examined in tocopherol cyclase‐deficient mutant (vte1) of Arabidopsis thaliana lacking both tocopherol and plastochromanol. It is demonstrated here that suppression of tocopherol and plastochromanol synthesis in chloroplasts isolated from vte1 Arabidopsis plants enhanced ¹O₂ formation under high light illumination as monitored by electron paramagnetic resonance spin‐trapping spectroscopy. The exposure of vte1 Arabidopsis plants to high light resulted in the formation of secondary lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde as determined by high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Furthermore, it is shown here that the imaging of ultra‐weak photon emission known to reflect oxidation of lipids was unambiguously higher in vte1 Arabidopsis plants. Our results indicate that tocopherol and plastochromanol act as efficient ¹O₂ scavengers and protect effectively lipids against photooxidative damage in Arabidopsis plants.     

Interaction between fulvic acids of different origins and active oxygen radicals

Using the spin trapping technique, the interaction between fulvic acids (FAs) of different origins and the active oxygen radicals was studied. The active oxygen radicals under study included superoxide anion (O2 · -) produced by xanthine oxidase (XOD) and stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) of human being and hydroxyl radical ( ·OH) produced from Fenton's reaction. It has been found that the FAs from both Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) region and non-KBD region can accelerate the production of ·OH and scavenge O2 ·- . FA from peat can scavenge both O2·- and ·OH. The results show that the behavior of KBD and non-KBD FAs differs clearly from peat FA. It has been concluded that the superoxidation damage of KBD induced by FA is mainly due to hydroxyl radical reaction initiated in biological system.     

Detection of Free Radicals by Microdialysis/Spin Trapping Epr Following Focal Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion and a Cautionary Note on the Stability of 5,5-Dimethyl-1-Pyrroline N-Oxide (DMPO)

We have examined free radical production in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia using microdialysis coupled with EPR analysis. A microdialysis probe was inserted 2 mm into the cerebral cortex, supplied by the right middle cerebral artery (MCA), and after a 2-hour washout period with artificial cerebral spinal fluid (ACSF), the perfusate solution was changed to ACSF containing the spin trapping agent, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). No free radicals were detected by DMPO during the pre-ischemia period. Both common carotid arteries and the right MCA were then ligated for 90 minutes. Microdialysate collected every 15 min during the ischemic period demonstrated predominantly superoxide or peroxyl radical production. After release of the occlusive sutures, hydroxyl radical became apparent initially, then thiyl and carbon centered radicals appeared later in samples collected every 15 min for two hours following cortical reperfusion. Careful studies on the purification and stability of DMPO solution were performed to circumvent artifacts and spurious signals.     

Identification of free radicals of glycerophosphatidylcholines containing omega-6 fatty acids using spin trapping coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Metal-catalysed radical oxidation of diacyl-glycerophosphatidylcholines (GPC) with ω-6 acyl polyunsaturated fatty acids (PAPC, palmitoyl-arachidonoyl-glycerophosphatidylcholine and PLPC, palmitoyl-lineloyl-glycerophosphatidylcholine) was studied. Free radical oxidation products were trapped by spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolidine-N-oxide (DMPO) and identified by electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS). The spin adducts of oxidised GPC containing one and two oxygen atoms and one and two DMPO molecules were observed as doubly charged ions. Structural characterisation by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) of these ions revealed product ions corresponding to loss of the acyl chains (sn-1-palmitoyl and sn-2-oxidised spin adduct of lineloyl or arachidonoyl), loss of the spin trap (DMPO) and product ions attributed to oxidised sn-2 fatty acid spin adduct (lineloyl and arachidonoyl). Product ions formed by homolytic cleavages near the spin trap and also from 1,4 hydrogen elimination cleavages involving the hydroxy group in the sn-2 fatty acid spin adduct allowed to infer the nature of the radical. Altogether, the presence of GPC hydroxy-alkyl/DMPO and hydroxy-alkoxyl/DMPO spin adducts was proposed.     

The reverse of the 'repair' reaction of thiols: H-abstraction at carbon by thiyl radicals

Thiyl radicals (RS) formed by the reaction of radiolytically generated OH radicals with thiols, e.g. 1,4-dithiothreitol (DTT), react with cis- and trans-2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran by abstracting an H atom in the alpha-position to the ether function (k approximately equal to 5 X 10(3) dm3 mol-1 s-1). The so-formed planar ether radical is 'repaired' by the thiol (k = 6 X 10(8) dm3 mol-1 s-1) thereby regenerating a cis- or trans-2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran molecule. In this reaction a thiyl radical is reproduced. Thus trans-2,5-Me2THF from cis-2,5-Me2THF and vice versa are formed in a chain reaction: at a dose rate of 2.8 X 10(-3) Gys-1 and a trans-2,5-Me2THF concentration of 1 X 10(-2) mol dm-3 using DTT as the thiol, G(cis-2,5-Me2THF) = 160 has been found. The chain reaction is very sensitive to impurities and also to disulphides such as those radiolytically formed. 2,5-Me2THF can be regarded as a model for the sugar moiety of DNA where the C(4')-radical is known to lead to DNA strand breakage. The possible role of cellular thiols in the repair of the C(4') DNA radical, and also the conceivable role of thiyl radicals inducing DNA strand breakage, are discussed.     

Hypochlorite-induced oxidation of amino acids, peptides and proteins

Summary. Activated phagocytes generate the potent oxidant hypochlorite (HOCl) via the release of the enzyme myeloperoxidase and hydrogen peroxide. HOCl is known to react with a number of biological targets including proteins, DNA, lipids and cholesterol. Proteins are likely to be major targets for reaction with HOCl within a cell due to their abundance and high reactivity with HOCl. This review summarizes information on the rate of reaction of HOCl with proteins, the nature of the intermediates formed, the mechanisms involved in protein oxidation and the products of these reactions. The predicted targets for reaction with HOCl from kinetic modeling studies and the consequences of HOCl-induced protein oxidation are also discussed.     

Use of a Low-Frequency Esr Spectrometer: Implications for Spin-Trapping Free Radicals, In Situ

We have adapted the low-frequency ESR spectrometer, designed and built by H.J. Halpern, to the physiologic needs of organ preparations operating at 250 MHz. Initial studies have allowed us to detect nitroxides in an isolated perfused heart. These in siru measurements were made with nitroxides specifically designed to mimic the lipophilic nature of 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-l-oxide (DMPO) and 2.2-dimethyl-S-hydroxy-l-pyrrolidinyloxyl (DMPO-OH). These spin labels provided information about the influence of dynamic factors of the heart, such as flow rate, different cell populations and unequal distribution between compartments on our ability to conduct and interpret spin trapping experiments. They also clarified the sacrifice in sensitivity involved in operating at the lower frequencies. To deal with this later problem. we have increased the sensitivity of the spin trapping method by synthesizing a family of ¹⁵N-and deuterium-containing DMPO analogs and by determining their ability to spin trap free radicals generated by the model superoxide system of xanthinelxanthinc oxidase. Finally, since activated neutrophils are one of the few cells known to generate free radicals as part of their physiologic function, we used these phagocytic cells, as a source of superoxide.     

Oxygen Radical Formation in Well-Washed Rat Liver Microsomes: Spin Trapping Studies

The generation of hydroxyl radicals by rat liver microsomes was monitored by spin trapping with 5, 5-dimethylpyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). The results confirm and extend previous data which demonstrated that hydroxyl radicals are produced by microsomes in the presence of NADPH and O₂, and without the exogenous addition of iron. No EPR signals could be detected unless catalase activity which was associated with the microsomes could be substantially diminished. Addition of azide was the most effective means of eliminating catalase activity, but azide also reacted rapidly with hydroxyl radicals, forming azidyl radicals which were in turn trapped by DMPO. Extensive washing and preincubation of microsomes with 3-amino-1, 2,4-triazole in the presence of H₂O₂ were evaluated as alternative methods of decreasing the catalase contamination of microsomes. Although neither method completely eliminated microsomal catalase activity, addition of azide was no longer necessary for hydroxyl radical detection with DMPO. When highly washed microsomal preparations were tested, weak signals of the superoxide radical adduct of DMPO could also be detected. These data indicate that the sensitivity of spin trapping in microsomal systems can be improved substantially when care is taken to eliminate cytosolic contaminants such as catalase.     

Endothelial Cells as A Source of Oxygen-Free Radicals An Esr Study

Endothelial cells were subjected to anoxia/reoxygenation in order to simulate some of the free radical mechanisms occurring in ischaemialreperfusion. With ESR and spin trapping using the spin traps 5.5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-l-oxide (DMPO) and 3,3,5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-l-oxide (M₄PO), the results show that upon reoxygenation of endothelial cells, following a period of anoxia, these cells generate superoxide (0₂). Cytotoxicity of the spin traps was measured by standard trypan blue exclusion methods. Cell injury or death was measured at various times during reoxygenation by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Experiments using oxypurinol, SOD, CAT and a combination of SOD and CAT show that while oxypurinol partially prevents spin adduct formation. the combination of SOD and CAT is more effective in doing so. These results suggest that the majority of the oxygen radicals produced by endothelial cells are done so exogenously. The results also suggest that endothelial cells are not only a source of oxygen radicals but also a target.     

Endothelial Cells as A Source of Oxygen-Free Radicals An Esr Study

Endothelial cells were subjected to anoxia/reoxygenation in order to simulate some of the free radical mechanisms occurring in ischaemialreperfusion. With ESR and spin trapping using the spin traps 5.5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-l-oxide (DMPO) and 3,3,5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-l-oxide (M₄PO), the results show that upon reoxygenation of endothelial cells, following a period of anoxia, these cells generate superoxide (0₂). Cytotoxicity of the spin traps was measured by standard trypan blue exclusion methods. Cell injury or death was measured at various times during reoxygenation by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Experiments using oxypurinol, SOD, CAT and a combination of SOD and CAT show that while oxypurinol partially prevents spin adduct formation. the combination of SOD and CAT is more effective in doing so. These results suggest that the majority of the oxygen radicals produced by endothelial cells are done so exogenously. The results also suggest that endothelial cells are not only a source of oxygen radicals but also a target.     

EPR和MDA两种方法在自由基检测中的应用比较

目的：利用快速减压动物模型,比较电子顺磁共振（EPR）和MDA测定在自由基检测中的应用。方法：大鼠在0．6MPa abs压缩空气中暴露60min,快速（1min）减至常压,分别于45min、90min、180min处死,取肺组织匀浆,检测自由基、MDA含量和总抗氧化能力。结果：大鼠肺内自由基、MDA含量在快速减压后90min均显著增高（P＜0．05）,180min恢复至正常,但Vc处理组在180min时自由基含量仍很高（P＜0．01）,而MDA未见明显异常,各组总抗氧化能力均增高。结论：EPR方法可直接对自由基进行定性定量分析,而MDA测定则说明自由基累积致组织损伤的程度,两者可互为补充。     

On the use of organic extraction in the spin-trapping technique as applied to biological systems

A back-extraction methodology is presented which involves extraction of a spin adduct from an organic medium into an aqueous medium where its spectral parameters are well established. This technique should prove very useful in properly identifying spin adducts formed in organic media. Some of the hazards of extracting spin adducts into organic solvents for study are pointed out.