Properties and reaction mechanism of mitochondrial menadione reductase]

An isolation procedure of mitochondrial menadione reductase from rat liver using an ethanol-ether extraction for solubilization of the enzyme is described. The enzyme was purified 930-fold. The molecular weight of mitochondrial menadione reductase is 62,000. According to spectroscopic and enzymic analysis the prosthetic group of the enzyme was identified as FAD. Mitochondrial menadione reductase is inhibitied by dicumarol and p-chloromecuribenzoate. The enzyme is characterized by a group substrate specificity towards quinones. A high catalytic activity of menadione reductase towards 4-aniline-5-methoxy-1,2-benzoquinone (AMOBQ), and 4-N-(p-sulfoanilino)-5-methoxy-1,2-benzoquinone (AMOBQS) as acceptors was demonstrated. It was shown that the reduction of these orto-benzoquinones by NAD(P) H follows the "ping-pong" kinetics. The kinetic constants for NAD(P)H,AMOBQ and and AMOBQS were determined.     

Menadione- (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone-) dependent enzymatic redox cycling and calcium release by mitochondria

The results presented in this paper reveal the existence of three distinct menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) reductases in mitochondria: NAD(P)H:(quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase (D,T-diaphorase), NADPH:(quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase, and NADH:(quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase. All three enzymes reduce menadione in a two-electron step directly to the hydroquinone form. NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NADH dehydrogenase) and NAD(P)H azoreductase do not participate significantly in menadione reduction. In mitochondrial extracts, the menadione-induced NAD(P)H oxidation occurs beyond stoichiometric reduction of the quinone and is accompanied by O2 consumption. Benzoquinone is reduced more rapidly than menadione but does not undergo redox cycling. In intact mitochondria, menadione triggers oxidation of intramitochondrial pyridine nucleotides, cyanide-insensitive O2 consumption, and a transient decrease of delta psi. In the presence of intramitochondrial Ca2+, the menadione-induced oxidation of pyridine nucleotides is accompanied by their hydrolysis, and Ca2+ is released from mitochondria. The menadione-induced Ca2+ release leaves mitochondria intact, provided excessive Ca2+ cycling is prevented. In both selenium-deficient and selenium-adequate mitochondria, menadione is equally effective in inducing oxidation of pyridine nucleotides and Ca2+ release. Thus, menadione-induced Ca2+ release is mediated predominantly by enzymatic two-electron reduction of menadione, and not by H2O2 generated by menadione-dependent redox cycling. Our findings argue against D,T-diaphorase being a control device that prevents quinone-dependent oxygen toxicity in mitochondria.     

Enzymology of a carbonyl reduction clearance pathway for the HIV integrase inhibitor, S-1360: role of human liver cytosolic aldo-keto reductases

S-1360, a 1,3-diketone derivative, was the first HIV integrase inhibitor to enter human trials. Clinical data suggested involvement of non-cytochrome P450 clearance pathways, including reduction and glucuronidation. Reduction of S-1360 generates a key metabolite in humans, designated HP1, and constitutes a major clearance pathway. For characterization of subcellular location and cofactor dependence of HP1 formation, [(14)C]-S-1360 was incubated with commercially available pooled human liver fractions, including microsomes, cytosol, and mitochondria, followed by HPLC analysis with radiochemical detection. Incubations were performed in the presence and absence of the cofactors NADH or NADPH. Results showed that the enzyme system responsible for generation of HP1 in vitro is cytosolic and NADPH-dependent, implicating aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) and/or short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs). A validated LC/MS/MS method was developed for investigating the reduction of S-1360 in detail. The reduction reaction exhibited sigmoidal kinetics with a K(m,app) of 2 microM and a Hill coefficient of 2. The ratio of V(max)/K(m) was approximately 1 ml/(min mg cytosolic protein). The S-1360 kinetic data were consistent with positive cooperativity and a single enzyme system. The relative contributions of AKRs and SDRs were examined through the use of chemical inhibitors. For these experiments, non-radiolabeled S-1360 was incubated with pooled human liver cytosol and NADPH in the presence of inhibitors, followed by quantitation of HP1 by LC/MS/MS. Quercetin and menadione produced approximately 30% inhibition at a concentration of 100 microM. Enzymes sensitive to these inhibitors include the carbonyl reductases (CRs), a subset of the SDR enzyme family predominantly located in the cytosol. Flufenamic acid and phenolphthalein were the most potent inhibitors, with > 67% inhibition at a concentration of 20 microM, implicating the AKR enzyme family. The cofactor dependence, subcellular location, and chemical inhibitor results implicated the aldo-keto reductase family of enzymes as the most likely pathway for generation of the major metabolite HP1 from S-1360.     

Differential effect of calcium ions on the cytosolic and mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase

The effect of calcium ions has been studied on three different isoforms of thioredoxin reductase. The cytosolic (TrxR1), mitochondrial (TrxR2), and the Escherichia coli enzymes were examined and compared. In our condition, TrxR1 appears extremely sensitive to Ca2+ showing an IC50 of about 160 nM, while Ca2+ exerts only a weak inhibitory effect on the mitochondrial isoform. The thioredoxin reductase purified from E. coli is almost completely insensitive to calcium ions. Circular dichroism analysis of highly purified mitochondrial and cytosolic thioredoxin reductases reveals that Ca2+ induces conformational alterations that are particularly relevant only in the cytosolic isoform. These observations are discussed with reference to the physiological role and, in particular, to the regulatory functions of the thioredoxin system.     

Human mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase reduces cytochrome c and confers resistance to complex III inhibition

The ubiquitously expressed mammalian thioredoxin reductases are selenoproteins that together with NADPH regenerate active reduced thioredoxins and are involved in diverse actions mediated by redox control. Two main forms of mammalian thioredoxin reductases have been isolated, one cytosolic (TrxR1) and one present in mitochondria (TrxR2). Although the principal target for TrxRs is thioredoxin, the cytosolic form can regenerate several important antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, lipoic acid, and ubiquinone. In this study we demonstrate that cytochrome c is a substrate for both TrxR1 and TrxR2. In addition, cells overexpressing TrxR2 are more resistant to impairment of complex III in the mitochondrial respiratory chain upon both antimycin A and myxothiazol treatments, suggesting a complex III bypassing function of TrxR2. Furthermore, we show that cytochrome c is reduced by TrxR2 in vitro, not only by using NADPH as an electron donor but also by using NADH, pointing at TrxR2 as an important redox protein on complex III impairment. These findings may be valuable in understanding respiratory disorders in mitochondrial diseases.     

Calcium signalling and pancreatic cell death: apoptosis or necrosis?

Secretagogues, such as cholecystokinin and acetylcholine, utilise a variety of second messengers (inositol trisphosphate, cADPR and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate) to induce specific oscillatory patterns of calcium (Ca(2+)) signals in pancreatic acinar cells. These are tightly controlled in a spatiotemporal manner, and are coupled to mitochondrial metabolism necessary to fuel secretion. When Ca(2+) homeostasis is disrupted by known precipitants of acute pancreatitis, for example, hyperstimulation or non-oxidative ethanol metabolites, Ca(2+) stores (endoplasmic reticulum and acidic pool) become depleted and sustained cytosolic [Ca(2+)] elevations replace transient signals, leading to severe consequences. Sustained mitochondrial depolarisation, possibly via opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), elicits cellular ATP depletion that paralyses energy-dependent Ca(2+) pumps causing cytosolic Ca(2+) overload, while digestive enzymes are activated prematurely within the cell; Ca(2+)-dependent cellular necrosis ensues. However, when stress to the acinar cell is milder, for example, by application of the oxidant menadione, release of Ca(2+) from stores leads to oscillatory global waves, associated with partial mitochondrial depolarisation and transient MPTP opening; apoptotic cell death is promoted via the intrinsic pathway, when associated with generation of reactive oxygen species. Apoptosis, induced by menadione or bile acids, is potentiated by inhibition of an endogenous detoxifying enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), suggesting its importance as a defence mechanism that may influence cell fate.     

Subcellular distribution and properties of carbonyl reductase in guinea pig lung

On subcellular fractionation, carbonyl reductase (EC 1.1.1.184) activity in guinea pig lung was found in the mitochondrial, microsomal, and cytosolic fractions; the specific activity in the mitochondrial fraction was more than five times higher than those in the microsomal and cytosolic fractions. Further separation of the mitochondrial fraction on a sucrose gradient revealed that about half of the reductase activity is localized in mitochondria and one-third in a peroxidase-rich fraction. Although carbonyl reductase in both the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions was solubilized effectively by mixing with 1% Triton X-100 and 1 M KCl, the enzyme activity in the mitochondrial fraction was more highly enhanced by the solubilization than was that in the microsomal fraction. Carbonyl reductases were purified to homogeneity from the mitochondrial, microsomal, and cytosolic fractions. The three enzymes were almost identical in catalytic, structural, and immunological properties. Carbonyl reductase, synthesized in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate cell-free system, was apparently the same in molecular size as the subunit of the mature enzyme purified from cytosol. These results indicate that the same enzyme species is localized in the three different subcellular compartments of lung.     

Purification and partial characterization of an aldo-keto reductase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A cytosolic aldo-keto reductase was purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 26602 to homogeneity by affinity chromatography, chromatofocusing, and hydroxylapatite chromatography. The relative molecular weights of the aldo-keto reductase as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and size exclusion chromatography were 36,800 and 35,000, respectively, indicating that the enzyme is monomeric. Amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence analysis revealed that the enzyme is closely related to the aldose reductases of xylose-fermenting yeasts and mammalian tissues. The enzyme was apparently immunologically unrelated to the aldose reductases of other xylose-fermenting yeasts. The aldo-keto reductase is NADPH specific and catalyzes the reduction of a variety of aldehydes. The best substrate for the enzyme is the aromatic aldehyde p-nitrobenzaldehyde (Km = 46 microM; kcat/Km = 52,100 s-1 M-1), whereas among the aldoses, DL-glyceraldehyde was the preferred substrate (Km = 1.44 mM; kcat/Km = 1,790 s-1 M-1). The enzyme failed to catalyze the reduction of menadione and p-benzoquinone, substrates for carbonyl reductase. The enzyme was inhibited only slightly by 2 mM sodium valproate and was activated by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. The optimum pH of the enzyme is 5. These data indicate that the S. cerevisiae aldo-keto reductase is a monomeric NADPH-specific reductase with strong similarities to the aldose reductases.     

Menadione triggers cell death through ROS-dependent mechanisms involving PARP activation without requiring apoptosis

Low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can function as redox-active signaling messengers, whereas high levels of ROS induce cellular damage. Menadione generates ROS through redox cycling, and high concentrations trigger cell death. Previous work suggests that menadione triggers cytochrome c release from mitochondria, whereas other studies implicate the activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore as the mediator of cell death. We investigated menadione-induced cell death in genetically modified cells lacking specific death-associated proteins. In cardiomyocytes, oxidant stress was assessed using the redox sensor RoGFP, expressed in the cytosol or the mitochondrial matrix. Menadione elicited rapid oxidation in both compartments, whereas it decreased mitochondrial potential and triggered cytochrome c redistribution to the cytosol. Cell death was attenuated by N-acetylcysteine and exogenous glutathione or by overexpression of cytosolic or mitochondria-targeted catalase. By contrast, no protection was observed in cells overexpressing Cu,Zn-SOD or Mn-SOD. Overexpression of antiapoptotic Bcl-X(L) protected against staurosporine-induced cell death, but it failed to confer protection against menadione. Genetic deletion of Bax and Bak, cytochrome c, cyclophilin D, or caspase-9 conferred no protection against menadione-induced cell death. However, cells lacking PARP-1 showed a significant decrease in menadione-induced cell death. Thus, menadione induces cell death through the generation of oxidant stress in multiple subcellular compartments, yet cytochrome c, Bax/Bak, caspase-9, and cyclophilin D are dispensable for cell death in this model. These studies suggest that multiple redundant cell death pathways are activated by menadione, but that PARP plays an essential role in mediating each of them.     

A new kinetic assay method for quinone-reducing enzymes

A new kinetic method is described for the assay of quinone-reducing enzymes in various biological materials. It is based on polarographic determination of oxygen uptake in spontaneous oxidation of the diphenol formed as a result of 4-anilino-5-methoxybenzoquinone-1,2 (AMOBQ) enzymic reduction. The stoichiometry of the reducing equivalent transfer in the reaction sequence from NAD(P)H to oxygen has been analyzed. Data are presented on quinone-reducing activity distributions in different tissues.     

Mammalian selenoprotein thioredoxin-glutathione reductase. Roles in disulfide bond formation and sperm maturation

Thioredoxin reductases (TRs) are important redox regulatory enzymes, which control the redox state of thioredoxins. Mammals have cytosolic and mitochondrial TRs, which contain an essential selenocysteine residue and reduce cytosolic and mitochondrial thioredoxins. In addition, thioredoxin/glutathione reductase (TGR) was identified, which is a fusion of an N-terminal glutaredoxin domain and the TR module. Here we show that TGR is expressed at low levels in various tissues but accumulates in testes after puberty. The protein is particularly abundant in elongating spermatids at the site of mitochondrial sheath formation but is absent in mature sperm. We found that TGR can catalyze isomerization of protein and interprotein disulfide bonds and localized this function to its thiol domain. TGR targets include proteins that form structural components of the sperm, including glutathione peroxidase GPx4/PHGPx. Together, TGR and GPx4 can serve as a novel disulfide bond formation system. Both enzymes contain a catalytic selenocysteine consistent with the role of selenium in male reproduction.     

Methionine sulfoxide reductase 2 reversibly regulates Mge1, a cochaperone of mitochondrial Hsp70, during oxidative stress

Peptide methionine sulfoxide reductases are conserved enzymes that reduce oxidized methionines in protein(s). Although these reductases have been implicated in several human diseases, there is a dearth of information on the identity of their physiological substrates. By using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model, we show that of the two methionine sulfoxide reductases (MXR1, MXR2), deletion of mitochondrial MXR2 renders yeast cells more sensitive to oxidative stress than the cytosolic MXR1. Our earlier studies showed that Mge1, an evolutionarily conserved nucleotide exchange factor of Hsp70, acts as an oxidative sensor to regulate mitochondrial Hsp70. In the present study, we show that Mxr2 regulates Mge1 by selectively reducing MetO at position 155 and restores the activity of Mge1 both in vitro and in vivo. Mge1 M155L mutant rescues the slow-growth phenotype and aggregation of proteins of mxr2Δ strain during oxidative stress. By identifying the first mitochondrial substrate for Mxrs, we add a new paradigm to the regulation of the oxidative stress response pathway.     

酿酒酵母胞质内NADH的代谢调控

酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)的生长过程有大量的胞内NADH产生。有氧途径中,胞外的NADH脱氢酶、三磷酸甘油穿梭酶系是线粒体内NADH氧化的最主要机制。该文主要讨论以下三个方面的内容:不同生理环境下促成线粒体胞内NADH氧化的各主要机制的作用;借助电子传递链开启NADH从胞质脱氢酶到线粒体的通道,各代谢动力学的有序进行;各种酶形成超分子复合物,尤其是起关键调控作用的酶形成具相似生理功能的高整合性功能酶。     

The relative importance of glutathione and metallothionein on protection of hepatotoxicity of menadione in rats.

The effects of induction of metallothionein (MT) on the toxicity of menadione were investigated in rat liver slices. The protective role of hepatic glutathione (GSH) was also studied and compared to that of MT. A 3-h incubation of rat liver slices with menadione (100-300 microM) containing medium (37 degrees C, pH 7.4, 95%O2:5%CO2) resulted in cellular toxicity, as shown by changes in cytosolic K, Ca and GSH concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. A dose-dependent decrease in cytosolic K and GSH was observed concomitant with an increase in cytosolic Ca and LDH leakage after incubation with menadione. Pretreatment of rats with zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) (30 mg/kg body wt.) increased MT levels in liver slices and suppressed the toxicity of menadione. Intracellular GSH concentrations in liver slices were either depleted or increased by injection of rats with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), (4 mmol/kg body wt.) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) (1.6 g/kg body wt.), respectively. Intracellular GSH was found to be crucial in protection against menadione toxicity. Menadione toxicity was increased when the rats were injected with sodium phenobarbital (PB) (4 x 80 mg/kg body wt.). Pretreatment with Zn provided partial protection against menadione toxicity in liver slices from both BSO- and PB-injected rats. These findings suggest that induction of MT synthesis does protect against quinone-induced toxicity, but the role may be secondary to that of GSH. The mechanisms by which MT protect against menadione toxicity are still unclear but may involve protection of both redox cycling and sulphydryl arylation.     

Interaction of selenite and tellurite with thiol-dependent redox enzymes: Kinetics and mitochondrial implications

The interactions of selenite and tellurite with cytosolic and mitochondrial thioredoxin reductases (TrxR1 and TrxR2) and glutathione reductases (GR) from yeast and mammalian sources were explored. Both TrxR1 and TrxR2 act as selenite and tellurite reductases. Kinetic treatment shows that selenite has a greater affinity than tellurite with both TrxR1 and TrxR2. Considering both k_cat and K_m, selenite shows a better catalytic efficiency than tellurite with TrxR1, whereas with TrxR2, the catalytic efficiency is similar for both chalcogens. Tellurite is a good substrate for GR, whereas selenite is almost completely ineffective. Selenite or tellurite determine a large mitochondrial permeability transition associated with thiol group oxidation. However, with increasing concentrations of both chalcogens, only about 25% of total thiols are oxidized. In isolated mitochondria, selenite or tellurite per se does not stimulate H₂O₂ production, which, however, is increased by the presence of auranofin. They also determine a large oxidation of mitochondrial pyridine nucleotides. In ovarian cancer cells both chalcogens decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential. These results indicate that selenite and tellurite, interacting with the thiol-dependent enzymes, alter the balance connecting pyridine nucleotides and thiol redox state, consequently leading to mitochondrial and cellular alterations essentially referable to a disulfide stress.     

Trout (Salmo gairdneri R.) liver 5-aminolevulinate synthetase: subcellular distribution and properties

The subcellular distribution of trout liver 5-aminolevulinate synthetase has been studied. A cytosolic form of the enzyme has been found. Its activity was a 30% of the mitochondrial enzyme. The cytosolic form has a molecular weight of 110,000, larger than the mitochondrial enzyme (70,000). The two enzyme forms showed a pH optimum of 7.5. The kinetic characteristic of both forms suggest that the cytosolic form is a precursor of the mitochondrial ALA-synthetase.     

Organization and regulation of the cytosolic NADH metabolism in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Keeping a cytosolic redox balance is a prerequisite for living cells in order to maintain a metabolic activity and enable growth. During growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an excess of NADH is generated in the cytosol. Aerobically, it has been shown that the external NADH dehydrogenase, Nde1p and Nde2p, as well as the glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase shuttle, comprising the cytoplasmic glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Gpdlp, and the mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Gut2p, are the most important mechanisms for mitochondrial oxidation of cytosolic NADH. In this review we summarize the recent results showing (i) the contribution of each of the mechanisms involved in mitochondrial oxidation of the cytosolic NADH, under different physiological situations; (ii) the kinetic and structural properties of these metabolic pathways in order to channel NADH from cytosolic dehydrogenases to the inner mitochondrial membrane and (iii) the organization in supramolecular complexes and, the peculiar ensuing kinetic regulation of some of the enzymes (i.e. Gut2p inhibition by external NADH dehydrogenase activity) leading to a highly integrated functioning of enzymes having a similar physiological function. The cell physiological consequences of such an organized and regulated network are discussed.     

Coenzyme Q cytoprotective mechanisms for mitochondrial complex I cytopathies involves NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1)

The commonest mitochondrial diseases are probably those impairing the function of complex I of the respiratory electron transport chain. Such complex I impairment may contribute to various neurodegenerative disorders e.g. Parkinson's disease. In the following, using hepatocytes as a model cell, we have shown for the first time that the cytotoxicity caused by complex I inhibition by rotenone but not that caused by complex III inhibition by antimycin can be prevented by coenzyme Q (CoQ1) or menadione. Furthermore, complex I inhibitor cytotoxicity was associated with the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. ROS scavengers or inhibitors of the mitochondrial permeability transition prevented cytotoxicity. The CoQ1 cytoprotective mechanism required CoQ1 reduction by DT-diaphorase (NQO1). Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels were restored at low CoQ1 concentrations (5 microM). This suggests that the CoQ1H2 formed by NQO1 reduced complex III and acted as an electron bypass of the rotenone block. However cytoprotection still occurred at higher CoQ1 concentrations (>10 microM), which were less effective at restoring ATP levels but readily restored the cellular cytosolic redox potential (i.e. lactate: pyruvate ratio) and prevented ROS formation. This suggests that CoQ1 or menadione cytoprotection also involves the NQO1 catalysed reoxidation of NADH that accumulates as a result of complex I inhibition. The CoQ1H2 formed would then also act as a ROS scavenger.     

Menadione induces a low conductance state of the mitochondrial inner membrane sensitive to bongkrekic acid

When rat liver mitochondria are allowed to cycle Ca(2+) and are incubated in the presence of the pro-oxidant menadione, they undergo swelling, membrane potential (DeltaPsi) collapse, and ion release. These effects, which are inhibited by cyclosporin A (CsA), are fully consistent with the opening of the so-called permeability transition pore. However, when Ca(2+) cycling is abolished by EGTA, the mitochondria remain energized (DeltaPsi collapse and swelling are avoided), but Ca(2+) efflux, promoted by the chelating agent, is stimulated by menadione. This stimulation goes together with the release of Mg(2+), K(+), and adenine nucleotides (AdN) and is inhibited by bongkrekic acid (BKA). The effect of menadione is also characterized by biphasic NAD(P)H oxidation which becomes monophasic in the presence of BKA, CsA, or EGTA and by the oxidation of thiol groups not restrained by the above-mentioned inhibitors. These results suggest that BKA acts indirectly by preserving in the matrix a critical amount of AdN without modifying the monophasic oxidation of pyridine nucleotides by menadione. A critical number of thiol groups also seems to be involved in the phenomenon. Their oxidation most probably causes a conformational change on adenine nucleotide translocase with the opening of the "low-conductance state" of the mitochondrial permeability transition, resulting in ion permeability without DeltaPsi disruption and mitochondrial swelling.