Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases by amino acid, peptide, and protein hydroperoxides: potential modulation of cell signaling by protein oxidation products

Reaction of radicals in the presence of O2, or singlet oxygen, with some amino acids, peptides, and proteins yields hydroperoxides. These species are key intermediates in chain reactions and protein damage. They can be detected in cells and are poorly removed by enzymatic defenses. Previously we have shown that peptide and protein hydroperoxides react rapidly with thiols, with this resulting in inactivation of some thiol-dependent enzymes. In light of these data, we hypothesized that inactivation of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), by hydroperoxides present on oxidized proteins, may contribute to cellular and tissue dysfunction by modulation of phosphorylation-dependent cell signaling. We show here that PTPs in cell lysates, and purified PTP-1B, are inactivated by amino acid, peptide, and protein hydroperoxides in a concentration- and structure-dependent manner. Protein hydroperoxides are particularly effective, with inhibition occurring with greater efficacy than with H2O2. Inactivation involves reaction of the hydroperoxide with the conserved active-site Cys residue of the PTPs, as evidenced by hydroperoxide consumption measurements and a diminution of this effect on blocking the Cys residue. This inhibition of PTPs, by oxidized proteins containing hydroperoxide groups, may contribute to cellular dysfunction and altered redox signaling in systems subject to oxidative stress.     

Active cathepsins B, H, K, L and S in human inflammatory bronchoalveolar lavage fluids

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Chronic inflammation and tissue remodelling result from an imbalance between proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors in the lungs in favour of proteolysis. While many studies have examined serine proteases (e.g. cathepsin G and neutrophil elastase) and matrix metalloproteases, little is known about the role of papain-like CPs (cysteine proteases). The present study focuses on the thiol-dependent cathepsins (CPs) and their specific cystatin-like inhibitors [CPIs (CP inhibitors)] in human inflammatory BALFs (BAL fluids, where BAL stands for broncho-alveolar lavage). RESULTS: Cathepsins B, K and S found were mostly zymogens, whereas cathepsins H and L were predominantly in their mature forms. Little immunoreactive cystatin C was found and the high- and low-molecular-mass ('weight') kininogens were extensively degraded. The BALF procathepsins B and L could be activated autocatalytically, indicating that alveolar fluid pro-CPs are reservoirs of mature enzymes. Hydrolysis patterns of 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-derived peptide substrates showed that extracellular alveolar CPs remain proteolytically active, and that cathepsins B and L are the most abundant thiol-dependent endoproteases. The CP/CPI balance was significantly tipped in favour of cathepsins (3- or 5-fold), as confirmed by the extensive CP-dependent degradation of exogenous kininogens by BALFs. CONCLUSIONS: Although their importance for inflammation remains to be clarified, the presence of active cathepsins L, K and S suggests that they contribute to the extracellular breakdown of the extracellular matrix.     

Cathepsin B, L, and S cleave and inactivate secretory leucoprotease inhibitor.

A number of serine proteases, matrix metalloproteases, and cysteine proteases were evaluated for their ability to cleave and inactivate the antiprotease, secretory leucoprotease inhibitor (SLPI). None of the serine proteases or the matrix metalloproteases examined cleaved the SLPI protein. However, incubation with cathepsins B, L, and S resulted in the cleavage and inactivation of SLPI. All three cathepsins initially cleaved SLPI between residues Thr(67) and Tyr(68). The proteolytic cleavage of SLPI by all three cathepsins resulted in the loss of the active site of SLPI and the inactivation of SLPI anti-neutrophil elastase capacity. Cleavage and inactivation were catalytic with respect to the cathepsins, so that the majority of a 400-fold excess of SLPI was inactivated within 15 min by cathepsins L and S. Analysis of epithelial lining fluid samples from individuals with emphysema indicated the presence of cleaved SLPI in these samples whereas only intact SLPI was observed in control epithelial lining fluid samples. Active cathepsin L was shown to be present in emphysema epithelial lining fluid and inhibition of this protease prevented the cleavage of recombinant SLPI added to emphysema epithelial lining fluid. Taken together with previous data that demonstrates that cathepsin L inactivates alpha(1)-antitrypsin, these findings indicate the involvement of cathepsins in the diminution of the lung antiprotease screen possibly leading to lung destruction in emphysema.     

Cathepsins L and Z are critical in degrading polyglutamine-containing proteins within lysosomes

In neurodegenerative diseases caused by extended polyglutamine (polyQ) sequences in proteins, aggregation-prone polyQ proteins accumulate in intraneuronal inclusions. PolyQ proteins can be degraded by lysosomes or proteasomes. Proteasomes are unable to hydrolyze polyQ repeat sequences, and during breakdown of polyQ proteins, they release polyQ repeat fragments for degradation by other cellular enzymes. This study was undertaken to identify the responsible proteases. Lysosomal extracts (unlike cytosolic enzymes) were found to rapidly hydrolyze polyQ sequences in peptides, proteins, or insoluble aggregates. Using specific inhibitors against lysosomal proteases, enzyme-deficient extracts, and pure cathepsins, we identified cathepsins L and Z as the lysosomal cysteine proteases that digest polyQ proteins and peptides. RNAi for cathepsins L and Z in different cell lines and adult mouse muscles confirmed that they are critical in degrading polyQ proteins (expanded huntingtin exon 1) but not other types of aggregation-prone proteins (e.g. mutant SOD1). Therefore, the activities of these two lysosomal cysteine proteases are important in host defense against toxic accumulation of polyQ proteins.     

Extracellular catalase activity protects cysteine cathepsins from inactivation by hydrogen peroxide

The resistance of secreted cysteine cathepsins to peroxide inactivation was evaluated using as model THP-1 cells. Differentiated cells released mostly cathepsin B, but also cathepsins H, K, and L, with a maximum of endopeptidase activity at day 6. Addition of non-cytotoxic concentrations of H(2)O(2) did not affect mRNA expression levels and activity of cathepsins, while the catalase activity remained also unchanged, consistently with RT-PCR analysis. Conversely inhibition of extracellular catalase led to a striking inactivation of secreted cysteine cathepsins by H(2)O(2). This report suggests that catalase may participate in the protection of extracellular cysteine proteases against peroxidation.     

Evidence for inactivation of cysteine proteases by reactive carbonyls via glycation of active site thiols

Hyperglycaemia, triose phosphate decomposition and oxidation reactions generate reactive aldehydes in vivo. These compounds react non-enzymatically with protein side chains and N-terminal amino groups to give adducts and cross-links, and hence modified proteins. Previous studies have shown that free or protein-bound carbonyls inactivate glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase with concomitant loss of thiol groups [Morgan, Dean and Davies (2002) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 403, 259-269]. It was therefore hypothesized that modification of lysosomal cysteine proteases (and the structurally related enzyme papain) by free and protein-bound carbonyls may modulate the activity of these components of the cellular proteolytic machinery responsible for the removal of modified proteins and thereby contribute to a decreased removal of modified proteins from cells. It is shown that MGX (methylglyoxal), GO (glyoxal) and glycolaldehyde, but not hydroxyacetone and glucose, inhibit catB (cathepsin B), catL (cathepsin L) and catS (cathepsin S) activity in macrophage cell lysates, in a concentration-dependent manner. Protein-bound carbonyls produced similar inhibition with both cell lysates and intact macrophage cells. Inhibition was also observed with papain, with this paralleled by loss of the active site cysteine residue and formation of the adduct species S-carboxymethylcysteine, from GO, in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition of autolysis of papain by MGX, along with cross-link formation, was detected by SDS/PAGE. Treatment of papain and catS with the dialdehyde o-phthalaldehyde resulted in enzyme inactivation and an intra-molecular active site cysteine-lysine cross-link. These results demonstrate that reactive aldehydes inhibit cysteine proteases by modification of the active site cysteine residue. This process may contribute to the accumulation of modified proteins in tissues of people with diabetes and age-related pathologies, including atherosclerosis, cataract and Alzheimer's disease.     

Proteases in autophagy

Autophagy is a process involved in the proteolytic degradation of cellular macromolecules in lysosomes, which requires the activity of proteases, enzymes that hydrolyse peptide bonds and play a critical role in the initiation and execution of autophagy. Importantly, proteases also inhibit autophagy in certain cases. The initial steps of macroautophagy depend on the proteolytic processing of a particular protein, Atg8, by a cysteine protease, Atg4. This processing step is essential for conjugation of Atg8 with phosphatidylethanolamine and, subsequently, autophagosome formation. Lysosomal hydrolases, known as cathepsins, can be divided into several groups based on the catalitic residue in the active site, namely, cysteine, serine and aspartic cathepsins, which catalyse the cleavage of peptide bonds of autophagy substrates and, together with other factors, dispose of the autophagic flux. Whilst most cathepsins degrade autophagosomal content, some, such as cathepsin L, also degrade lysosomal membrane components, GABARAP-II and LC3-II. In contrast, cathepsin A, a serine protease, is involved in inhibition of chaperon-mediated autophagy through proteolytic processing of LAMP-2A. In addition, other families of calcium-dependent non-lysosomal cysteine proteases, such as calpains, and cysteine aspartate-specific proteases, such as caspases, may cleave autophagy-related proteins, negatively influencing the execution of autophagic processes. Here we discuss the current state of knowledge concerning protein degradation by autophagy and outline the role of proteases in autophagic processes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis 50 years after the discovery of lysosome.     

Proteases in autophagy

Autophagy is a process involved in the proteolytic degradation of cellular macromolecules in lysosomes, which requires the activity of proteases, enzymes that hydrolyse peptide bonds and play a critical role in the initiation and execution of autophagy. Importantly, proteases also inhibit autophagy in certain cases. The initial steps of macroautophagy depend on the proteolytic processing of a particular protein, Atg8, by a cysteine protease, Atg4. This processing step is essential for conjugation of Atg8 with phosphatidylethanolamine and, subsequently, autophagosome formation. Lysosomal hydrolases, known as cathepsins, can be divided into several groups based on the catalitic residue in the active site, namely, cysteine, serine and aspartic cathepsins, which catalyse the cleavage of peptide bonds of autophagy substrates and, together with other factors, dispose of the autophagic flux. Whilst most cathepsins degrade autophagosomal content, some, such as cathepsin L, also degrade lysosomal membrane components, GABARAP-II and LC3-II. In contrast, cathepsin A, a serine protease, is involved in inhibition of chaperon-mediated autophagy through proteolytic processing of LAMP-2A. In addition, other families of calcium-dependent non-lysosomal cysteine proteases, such as calpains, and cysteine aspartate-specific proteases, such as caspases, may cleave autophagy-related proteins, negatively influencing the execution of autophagic processes. Here we discuss the current state of knowledge concerning protein degradation by autophagy and outline the role of proteases in autophagic processes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis 50 years after the discovery of lysosome.     

L-trans-Epoxysuccinyl-leucylamido(4-guanidino)butane (E-64) and its analogues as inhibitors of cysteine proteinases including cathepsins B, H and L.

1. L-trans-Epoxysuccinyl-leucylamido(4-guanidino)butane (E-64) at a concentration of 0.5 mM had no effect on the serine proteinases plasma kallikrein and leucocyte elastase or the metalloproteinases thermolysin and clostridial collagenase. In contrast, 10 muM-E-64 rapidly inactivated the cysteine proteinases cathepsins B, H and L and papain (t0.5 = 0.1-17.3s). The streptococcal cysteine proteinase reacted much more slowly, and there was no irreversible inactivation of clostripain. The cysteine-dependent exopeptidase dipeptidyl peptidase I was very slowly inactivated by E-64. 2. the active-site-directed nature of the interaction of cathepsin B and papain with E-64 was established by protection of the enzyme in the presence of the reversible competitive inhibitor leupeptin and by the stereospecificity for inhibition by the L as opposed to the D compound. 3. It was shown that the rapid stoichiometric reaction of the cysteine proteinases related to papain can be used to determine the operational molarity of solutions of the enzymes and thus to calibrate rate assays. 4. The apparent second-order rate constants for the inactivation of human cathepsins B and H and rat cathepsin L by a series of structural analogues of E-64 are reported, and compared with those for some other active-site-directed inhibitors of cysteine proteinases. 5. L-trans-Epoxysuccinyl-leucylamido(3-methyl)butane (Ep-475) was found to inhibit cathepsins B and L more rapidly than E-64. 6. Fumaryl-leucylamido(3-methyl)butane (Dc-11) was 100-fold less reactive than the corresponding epoxide, but was nevertheless about as effective as iodoacetate.     

Sequence analysis, tissue distribution, and expression of rat cathepsin S.

Cysteine proteases are involved in many diverse cellular processes ranging from processing of precursor proteins to intracellular degradation. In an effort to identify novel cysteine proteases, we used the polymerase chain reaction and primers directed against the catalytic sites of previously cloned cysteine proteases. From rat brain mRNA, a 600-base pair band was amplified; cloning and partial sequence analysis of this band resulted in the identification of cathepsins B and L and five novel sequences. The novel cDNAs contained a number of residues conserved in lysosomal cysteine proteases, including the active site residue His159 (papain numbering). In addition, the amino acid homology between the novel sequences and either cathepsins B, L, or H, ranged from 63 to 32%. The insert with highest homology was used to screen a rat brain cDNA library; a 1334-base pair cDNA was isolated and the nucleotide sequence determined. This sequence encodes an open reading frame of 330 amino acids which is 82% homologous to human cathepsin S, suggesting that this sequence represents rat cathepsin S. Northern blot analysis for rat cathepsin S revealed tissue-specific expression distinct from the distribution of cathepsin B and L. The regulation of expression of rat cathepsin S mRNA in response to thyroid-stimulating hormone was studied in a rat thyroid cell line FRTL-5. The level of cathepsin S mRNA was substantially increased in response to thyroid-stimulating hormone, whereas cathepsin B and cathepsin L mRNA levels were not altered by this treatment. A portion of cDNA encoding the predicted mature protein of rat cathepsin S was expressed as a glutathione S-transferase-fusion protein. The affinity-purified protein exhibited proteolytic activity with properties similar to bovine cathepsin S. Taken together, these results imply highly specific functions for cathepsin S.     

Differential expression of cathepsins K,S and V between young and aged Caucasian women skin epidermis

Cutaneous aging translates drastic structural and functional alterations in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Multiple mechanisms are involved, including changes in protease levels. We investigated the age-related protein expression and activity of cysteine cathepsins and the expression of two endogenous protein inhibitors in young and aged Caucasian women skin epidermis. Immunofluorescence studies indicate that the expression of cathepsins K, S and V, as well as cystatins A and M/E within keratinocytes is reduced in photoprotected skin of aged women. Furthermore, the overall endopeptidase activity of cysteine cathepsins in epidermis lysates decreased with age. Albeit dermal elastic fiber and laminin expression is reduced in aged skin, staining of nidogen-1, a key protein in BM assembly that is sensitive to proteolysis by cysteine, metallo- and serine proteases, has a similar pattern in both young and aged skin. Since cathepsins contribute to the hydrolysis and turnover of ECM/basement membrane components, the abnormal protein degradation and deposition during aging process may be related in part to a decline of lysosomal/endosomal cathepsin K, S and V activity.     

Mononuclear iron enzymes are primary targets of hydrogen peroxide stress

This study tested whether nonredox metalloenzymes are commonly charged with iron in vivo and are primary targets of oxidative stress because of it. Indeed, three sample mononuclear enzymes, peptide deformylase, threonine dehydrogenase, and cytosine deaminase, were rapidly damaged by micromolar hydrogen peroxide in vitro and in live Escherichia coli. The first two enzymes use a cysteine residue to coordinate the catalytic metal atom; it was quantitatively oxidized by the radical generated by the Fenton reaction. Because oxidized cysteine can be repaired by cellular reductants, the effect was to avoid irreversible damage to other active-site residues. Nevertheless, protracted H(2)O(2) exposure gradually inactivated these enzymes, consistent with the overoxidation of the cysteine residue to sulfinic or sulfonic forms. During H(2)O(2) stress, E. coli defended all three proteins by inducing MntH, a manganese importer, and Dps, an iron-sequestration protein. These proteins appeared to collaborate in replacing the iron atom with nonoxidizable manganese. The implication is that mononuclear metalloproteins are common targets of H(2)O(2) and that both structural and metabolic arrangements exist to protect them.     

Protease signalling in cell death: caspases versus cysteine cathepsins

Proteases were, for a long time, mainly considered as protein degrading enzymes. However, in the last decade this view has changed dramatically, and the focus is now on proteases as signalling molecules. One of the best examples is apoptosis, the major mechanism used by eukaryotes to remove superfluous, damaged and potentially dangerous cells, in which a number of proteases have been found to play a central role. Of these the caspases have been considered to be the major players. However, more recently, other proteases have been increasingly suggested as being important in apoptosis, in particular the cysteine cathepsins. In this review the roles of caspases and cysteine cathepsins in apoptosis signalling are compared and discussed.     

Regulation of cathepsin K activity by hydrogen peroxide

Although cysteine cathepsins, including cathepsin K, are sensitive to oxidation, proteolytically active forms are found at inflammatory sites. Regulation of cathepsin K activity was analyzed in the presence of H2O2 to gain an insight into these puzzling observations. H2O2 impaired processing of procathepsin K and inactivated its mature form in a time- and dose-dependent mode. However, as a result of the formation of a sulfenic acid, as confirmed by trapping in the presence of 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol, approximately one-third of its initial activity was restored by dithiothreitol. This incomplete inactivation may partially explain why active cysteine cathepsins are still found during acute lung inflammation.     

Cysteine Cathepsins in the secretory vesicle produce active peptides: Cathepsin L generates peptide neurotransmitters and cathepsin B produces beta-amyloid of Alzheimer's disease

Recent new findings indicate significant biological roles of cysteine cathepsin proteases in secretory vesicles for production of biologically active peptides. Notably, cathepsin L in secretory vesicles functions as a key protease for proteolytic processing of proneuropeptides (and prohormones) into active neuropeptides that are released to mediate cell-cell communication in the nervous system for neurotransmission. Moreover, cathepsin B in secretory vesicles has been recently identified as a β-secretase for production of neurotoxic β- amyloid (Aβ) peptides that accumulate in Alzheimer's disease (AD), participating as a notable factor in the severe memory loss in AD. These secretory vesicle functions of cathepsins L and B for production of biologically active peptides contrast with the well-known role of cathepsin proteases in lysosomes for the degradation of proteins to result in their inactivation. The unique secretory vesicle proteome indicates proteins of distinct functional categories that provide the intravesicular environment for support of cysteine cathepsin functions. Features of the secretory vesicle protein systems insure optimized intravesicular conditions that support the proteolytic activity of cathepsins. These new findings of recently discovered biological roles of cathepsins L and B indicate their significance in human health and disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis 50 years after the discovery of lysosome.     

Cathepsin D inactivates cysteine proteinase inhibitors, cystatins

The formation of inactive complexes in excess molar amounts of human cathepsins H and L with their protein inhibitors human stefin A, human stefin B and chicken cystatin at pH 5.6 has been shown by measurement of enzyme activity coupled with reverse-phase HPLC not to involve covalent cleavage of the inhibitors. Inhibition must be the direct result of binding. On the contrary the interaction of cystatins with aspartic proteinase cathepsin D at pH 3.5 for 60 min followed by HPLC resulted in their inactivation accompanied by peptide bond cleavage at several sites, preferentially those involving hydrophobic amino acid residues. The released peptides do not inhibit papain and cathepsin L. These results explain reported elevated levels of cysteine proteinases and lead to the proposal that cathepsin D exerts an important function, through inactivation of cystatins, in the increased activities of cysteine proteinases in human diseases including muscular distrophy.     

Cysteine Cathepsins in the secretory vesicle produce active peptides: Cathepsin L generates peptide neurotransmitters and cathepsin B produces beta-amyloid of Alzheimer's disease

Recent new findings indicate significant biological roles of cysteine cathepsin proteases in secretory vesicles for production of biologically active peptides. Notably, cathepsin L in secretory vesicles functions as a key protease for proteolytic processing of proneuropeptides (and prohormones) into active neuropeptides that are released to mediate cell-cell communication in the nervous system for neurotransmission. Moreover, cathepsin B in secretory vesicles has been recently identified as a β-secretase for production of neurotoxic β- amyloid (Aβ) peptides that accumulate in Alzheimer's disease (AD), participating as a notable factor in the severe memory loss in AD. These secretory vesicle functions of cathepsins L and B for production of biologically active peptides contrast with the well-known role of cathepsin proteases in lysosomes for the degradation of proteins to result in their inactivation. The unique secretory vesicle proteome indicates proteins of distinct functional categories that provide the intravesicular environment for support of cysteine cathepsin functions. Features of the secretory vesicle protein systems insure optimized intravesicular conditions that support the proteolytic activity of cathepsins. These new findings of recently discovered biological roles of cathepsins L and B indicate their significance in human health and disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis 50 years after the discovery of lysosome.     

Amino acid, peptide, and protein hydroperoxides and their decomposition products modify the activity of the 26S proteasome

Proteins are major biological targets for oxidative damage within cells because of their high abundance and rapid rates of reaction with radicals and singlet oxygen. These reactions generate high yields of hydroperoxides. The turnover of both native and modified/damaged proteins is critical for maintaining cell homeostasis, with this occurring via the proteasomal and endosomal-lysosomal systems; the former is of particular importance for intracellular proteins. In this study we have examined whether oxidation products generated on amino acids, peptides, and proteins modulate 26S proteasome activity. We show that oxidation products, and particularly protein hydroperoxides, are efficient inhibitors of the 26S proteasome tryptic and chymotryptic activities, with this depending, at least in part, on the presence of hydroperoxide groups. Removal of these species by reduction significantly reduces proteasome inhibition. This loss of activity is accompanied by a loss of thiol residues, but an absence of radical formation, consistent with molecular, rather than radical, reactions being responsible for proteasome inhibition. Aldehydes also seem to play a role in the inhibition of chymotryptic activity, with this prevented by treatment with NaBH(4), which reduces these groups. Inhibition occurred at hydroperoxide concentrations of ≥1μM for oxidized amino acids and peptides and ≥10μM for oxidized proteins, compared with ca. 100μM for H(2)O(2), indicating that H(2)O(2) is a much less effective inhibitor. These data indicate that the formation of oxidized proteins within cells may modulate cell function by interfering with the turnover of native proteins and the clearance of modified materials.     

Intracellular messenger function of hydrogen peroxide and its regulation by peroxiredoxins

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulates transiently in various cell types stimulated with peptide growth factors and participates in receptor signaling by oxidizing the essential cysteine residues of protein tyrosine phosphatases and the lipid phosphatase PTEN. The reversible inactivation of these phosphatases by H2O2 is likely required to prevent futile cycles of phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of proteins and phosphoinositides. The accumulation of H2O2 is possible even in the presence of large amounts of the antioxidant enzymes peroxiredoxin I and II in the cytosol, probably because of a built-in mechanism of peroxiredoxin inactivation that is mediated by H2O2 and reversed by an ATP-dependent reduction reaction catalyzed by sulfiredoxin.     

Aziridinyl peptides as inhibitors of cysteine proteases: effect of a free carboxylic acid function on inhibition

Peptides containing aziridine-2,3-dicarboxylate (Azi) as electrophilic building block are evaluated as inhibitors of the cysteine proteases papain, cathepsin B, cathepsin L and clostripain. The influence of a free carboxylic acid as functional group at different positions of the inhibitor molecule on inhibition is analyzed. Structure-activity relationships and binding mode hypotheses are discussed. In contrast to the bacterial enzyme clostripain, the papain like mammalian proteases (cathepsins) are irreversibly inactivated by aziridinyl peptides. N-Unsubstituted aziridines are much more potent inhibitors of papain and cathepsins if they contain the free carboxylic acid attached to the aziridine ring (HOAzi-Leu-ProOBzl). Two free carboxylic acid functions at the aziridine ring are necessary for good inhibition of these enzymes by N-acylated aziridinyl peptides (BOC-Phe-Azi(OH)2). Chimeric bispeptidyl derivatives are selective CB inhibitors if the free acid is located at the C-terminus of the peptide (BOC-Phe-(EtO)Azi-Leu-ProOH). Clostripain is only inhibited by aziridinyl peptide esters.