人硫氧化还原蛋白系统生物学意义的研究进展

硫氧化还原蛋白Thioredoxin(Trx)是一种重要的氧化还原调节分子,广泛存在于生物体内,与Trx还原酶和NADPH共同组成一个广谱的蛋白二硫键还原系统,在稳定细胞内氧化还原环境与调节蛋白－蛋白,蛋白－核酸相互作用等方面起重要作用,人类的多种肿瘤中均存在Trx的异常表达,Trx直接应用于临床或作为抗肿瘤物的靶分子已引起广泛关注。     

硫氧还蛋白的结构及在生物抗氧化中的功能

硫氧还蛋白(thioredoxin,Trx)是广泛存在于原核与真核生物体内的氧化还原调节蛋白。Trx通过对目标蛋白质进行还原,从而调节机体的氧化还原平衡。Trx与硫氧还蛋白还原酶(thioredoxin reductase,TrxR)及NADPH共同组成硫氧还蛋白系统参与众多生理过程。细胞中的活性氧是导致生物氧化胁迫的一个主要方面。Trx可以通过对细胞内被氧化的二硫键的还原来修复机体的氧化损伤,并通过这种方式防止机体衰老。同时,Trx系统可以与其它氧化还原系统如谷胱甘肽(GSH)系统协调配合,并消除体内过多的活性氧。     

硫氧化还原蛋白与细胞内的氧化还原调控

细胞内氧化还原状态直接影响细胞的生存、活化和增殖。硫氧化还原蛋白是一个具有氧化还原活性的小分子蛋白质,它和ＮＡＤＰＨ以及硫氧化还原蛋白还原酶一起协同作用,组成蛋白质的一个重要的还原体系。这个还原体系还与谷胱甘肽等共同控制细胞的氧化还原状态,对维持和调节细胞的氧化还原内环境有着重要的作用。而另一方面,细胞的氧化还原状态又可以通过对多种信号分子的作用直接影响细胞的多种生理功能。     

硫氧化还原蛋白与细胞内的氧化还原调控

细胞内氧化还原状态直接影响细胞的生存、活化和增殖。硫氧化还原蛋白是一个具有氧化还原活性的小分子蛋白质,它和NADPH以及硫氧化还原蛋白还原酶一起协同作用,组成蛋白质的一个重要的还原体系。这个还原体系还与谷胱甘肽等共同控制细胞的氧化还原状态,对维持和调节细胞的氧化还原内环境有着重要的作用。而另一方面,细胞的氧化还原状态又可以通过对多种信号分子的作用直接影响细胞的多种生理功能。     

氧化还原与细胞凋亡的关联

细胞内氧化还原状态与细胞凋亡相互关联的机理仍然存在很大争议。细胞内氧化还原状态的改变促进了氧自由基(ROS)的产生和凋亡诱导因子的激活,致使细胞凋亡的同时又加剧了细胞内氧化还原状态的改变。通过激活细胞凋亡信号激酶(ASK-1)、氧化还原转录因子NF-κB、AP-1及Caspase激活,揭示了细胞内氧化还原状态伴随细胞凋亡的不同阶段。     

叶绿体硫氧还蛋白系统的调节机制

硫氧还蛋白(Trx)属于巯基-二硫键氧化还原酶家族, 通过作用于底物蛋白侧链2个半胱氨酸残基之间的二硫键(还原、异构和转移)来调控胞内蛋白的结构和功能。叶绿体Trx系统包括Trx及Trx类似蛋白、铁氧还蛋白(Fd)依赖的硫氧还蛋白还原酶(FTR)和还原型烟酰腺嘌呤二核苷磷酸(NADPH)依赖的硫氧还蛋白还原酶C (NTRC)。除了基质蛋白酶类活性变化及叶绿体蛋白的转运受Trx系统调控之外, 在叶绿体中还存在1条跨类囊体膜的还原势传递途径, 把基质Trx的还原势经跨膜转运蛋白介导, 最终传递给类囊体腔蛋白。FTR和NTRC共同作用维持叶绿体的氧化还原平衡。该文对叶绿体硫氧还蛋白系统的调节机制进行了综述, 同时讨论了叶绿体硫氧还蛋白系统对维持植物光合效率的重要意义。     

TDRS与靶向性新型抗菌策略

硫醇相关的氧化还原系统(thiol-dependent redox system, TDRS)由硫氧还蛋白系统(thioredoxin system, Trx system)和谷胱甘肽系统(glutaredoxin system, GSH system)组成,存在于多种生物体内,共同维持细胞内氧化还原平衡。原核生物细胞Trx系统中的硫氧还蛋白还原酶(thioredoxin reductase, TrxR)在结构和功能上与哺乳动物TrxR存在着天然差异。这些差异导致了细胞在相同药物作用下发生截然相反的氧化还原反应,使其可以成为潜在的抗菌作用靶点。此外,TrxR作为细菌看家基因trxB编码的蛋白,难以发生突变,故不易产生耐药性,是理想的新型抗菌靶标。本文就TDRS特别是Trx系统靶向性的新型抗菌策略作一综述。     

高糖环境下Trx1过表达对HBZY-1细胞中MMP9表达的影响

硫氧还蛋白1（thioredoxin1,Trx1）是细胞内一种重要的巯基 二硫键氧化还原酶,在细胞内氧化还原状态的调控及抵抗氧化应激损伤过程中发挥重要的作用.为了探讨高糖环境下Trx1过表达对 肾小球系膜细胞（glomerular mesangial cells）HBZY-1中基质金属蛋白酶9(matrix metalloproteinase 9,MMP9)表达水平的影响,本实验采用脂质体介导的瞬时转染实现Trx1蛋白过表达;采用RT-PCR和明胶酶谱法检测HBZY-1中MMP9 mRNA及酶活性的变化;通过流式细胞仪检测细胞内活性氧的含量.实验结果显示,高糖状态下,细胞中MMP9的mRNA和酶活性分别在12 h、24 h、48 h时表达增加（P＜0.05）;HBZY-1细胞中转染正义Trx1组,MMP9 mRNA水平及MMP9酶活性,高糖组与正常糖组无明显差异（P＞0.05）,转染反义Trx1组和未转染组中,高糖组均比正常糖组表达增加,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）;细胞中活性氧含量,高糖作用12 h、24 h、48 h均较正常糖组明显增多（P＜0.01）,高糖环境下转染正义Trx1质粒较转染反义Trx1质粒,细胞中活性氧含量明显减少,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.实验提示,高糖环境下,Trx1过表达对MMP9的抑制作用是通过减少细胞内活性氧含量来实现的.本实验为Trx1的抗氧化作用提供新的证据,也为继续探讨 Trx1在糖尿病肾病的预防和治疗提供新的思路.     

过表达Grx1抑制HEK293T细胞中H2O2诱导的p38MAPK信号通路

谷氧还蛋白1(glutaredoxin1, Grx1)是细胞内一种重要的巯基-二硫键氧化还原酶,在细胞内氧化还原状态的调控及抵抗氧化应激损伤过程中发挥重要作用.为进一步探讨Grx1的抗氧化机制,本实验将重组质粒pcDNA3.1(+)-hGrx1瞬时转染HEK293T细胞,经RT-PCR和Western印迹验证,细胞转染后实现了Grx1的过表达;以不同浓度H2O2为损伤因素,建立细胞氧化应激模型,检测过表达Grx1后细胞存活率,丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)漏出率的变化,观察过表达Grx1后细胞的抗氧化能力;用终浓度100μmol/L H2O2作用于细胞,利用Western印迹检测120min内HEK293T细胞中p38MAPK磷酸化水平.实验结果表明,HEK293T细胞过表达Grx1后,缓解了细胞的氧化应激损伤;转染空载体组细胞p38MAPK磷酸化水平在H2O2刺激后5min开始升高,15min达到最高值,并可维持至120min左右;而过表达Grx1组细胞p38MAPK磷酸化水平在H2O2刺激后各时间段没有明显改变,提示Grx1通过抑制H2O2诱导的p38MAPK信号通路激活发挥其抗氧化作用.     

Caveolin-1对乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7增殖和存活的影响

该文研究窖蛋白(Caveolin-1)对乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7细胞增殖与存活的影响。运用蛋白质印迹方法(Western blot)检测发现,caveolin-1在5株不同细胞系均只有低表达。运用电穿孔转染方法在乳腺癌细胞系中高表达Caveolin-1,运用Western blot检测转染后Caveolin-1表达情况发现,转染后细胞内Caveolin-1表达上升,并具有生物活性。运用单核细胞直接细胞毒性测定法(MTT)检测发现,转染后乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7增殖速度降低。运用Western blot方法和免疫荧光(immunofluorescence)方法检测转染后细胞凋亡途径的变化,磷酸化的P38蛋白含量上升,Bax表达量明显上升。据此推测Caveolin-1抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖和存活,并诱导基于Bax途径的细胞凋亡。     

Thioredoxin 1 as a subcellular biomarker of redox imbalance in human prostate cancer progression

We determined protein levels and subcellular distribution of thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) in human prostate tissues using tissue microarrays and analyzed redox changes in Trx1 in the nucleus and cytoplasm in cell culture models with a redox Western blot technique. We demonstrated increased nuclear Trx1 levels in high- versus low-grade human prostate cancers. Despite increased protein levels, the oxidized forms of nuclear Trx1 were higher in prostate cancer cell lines compared to their benign counterparts, suggesting that nuclear redox imbalance occurred selectively in cancer cells. A growth-stimulating dose of androgen caused transient oxidation of Trx1 in androgen-responsive prostate cancer cells only, suggesting a loss of both androgen- and redox-signaling mechanisms during cancer progression. Androgen-independent PC3 cells showed a significant increase in nuclear and cytoplasmic Trx1 protein levels, but a significant decrease in total Trx activity. Trx1 redox state and activity correlated with the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to pro-oxidant agents, and downregulation of Trx1 sensitized cancer cells to these agents. Our findings suggest that loss of Trx function because of oxidation and corresponding redox imbalance may play important roles in prostate cancer progression and response to therapies; and Trx1 may serve as a biomarker of subcellular redox imbalance in prostate cancer.     

Thioredoxin 1 as a subcellular biomarker of redox imbalance in human prostate cancer progression

We determined protein levels and subcellular distribution of thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) in human prostate tissues using tissue microarrays and analyzed redox changes in Trx1 in the nucleus and cytoplasm in cell culture models with a redox Western blot technique. We demonstrated increased nuclear Trx1 levels in high- versus low-grade human prostate cancers. Despite increased protein levels, the oxidized forms of nuclear Trx1 were higher in prostate cancer cell lines compared to their benign counterparts, suggesting that nuclear redox imbalance occurred selectively in cancer cells. A growth-stimulating dose of androgen caused transient oxidation of Trx1 in androgen-responsive prostate cancer cells only, suggesting a loss of both androgen- and redox-signaling mechanisms during cancer progression. Androgen-independent PC3 cells showed a significant increase in nuclear and cytoplasmic Trx1 protein levels, but a significant decrease in total Trx activity. Trx1 redox state and activity correlated with the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to pro-oxidant agents, and downregulation of Trx1 sensitized cancer cells to these agents. Our findings suggest that loss of Trx function because of oxidation and corresponding redox imbalance may play important roles in prostate cancer progression and response to therapies; and Trx1 may serve as a biomarker of subcellular redox imbalance in prostate cancer.     

Selective redox regulation of cytokine receptor signaling by extracellular thioredoxin-1

The thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) is known to be secreted by leukocytes and to exhibit cytokine-like properties. Extracellular effects of Trx1 require a functional active site, suggesting a redox-based mechanism of action. However, specific cell surface proteins and pathways coupling extracellular Trx1 redox activity to cellular responses have not been identified so far. Using a mechanism-based kinetic trapping technique to identify disulfide exchange interactions on the intact surface of living lymphocytes, we found that Trx1 catalytically interacts with a single principal target protein. This target protein was identified as the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 8 (TNFRSF8/CD30). We demonstrate that the redox interaction is highly specific for both Trx1 and CD30 and that the redox state of CD30 determines its ability to engage the cognate ligand and transduce signals. Furthermore, we confirm that Trx1 affects CD30-dependent changes in lymphocyte effector function. Thus, we conclude that receptor-ligand signaling interactions can be selectively regulated by an extracellular redox catalyst.     

Glutathione and Glutaredoxin Act as a Backup of Human Thioredoxin Reductase 1 to Reduce Thioredoxin 1 Preventing Cell Death by Aurothioglucose

Thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) in cytosol is the only known reductant of oxidized thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) in vivo so far. We and others found that aurothioglucose (ATG), a well known active-site inhibitor of TrxR1, inhibited TrxR1 activity in HeLa cell cytosol but had no effect on the viability of the cells. Using a redox Western blot analysis, no change was observed in redox state of Trx1, which was mainly fully reduced with five sulfhydryl groups. In contrast, auranofin killed cells and oxidized Trx1, also targeting mitochondrial TrxR2 and Trx2. Combining ATG with ebselen gave a strong synergistic effect, leading to Trx1 oxidation, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and cell death. We hypothesized that there should exist a backup system to reduce Trx1 when only TrxR1 activity was lost. Our results showed that physiological concentrations of glutathione, NADPH, and glutathione reductase reduced Trx1 in vitro and that the reaction was strongly stimulated by glutaredoxin1. Simultaneous depletion of TrxR activity by ATG and glutathione by buthionine sulfoximine led to overoxidation of Trx1 and loss of HeLa cell viability. In conclusion, the glutaredoxin system and glutathione have a backup role to keep Trx1 reduced in cells with loss of TrxR1 activity. Monitoring the redox state of Trx1 shows that cell death occurs when Trx1 is oxidized, followed by general protein oxidation catalyzed by the disulfide form of thioredoxin.     

Thioredoxin reductase-1 knock down does not result in thioredoxin-1 oxidation

The active site of thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) is oxidized in cells with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and is reduced by thioredoxin reductase-1 (TrxR1). The purpose of the present study was to determine the extent to which the redox state of Trx1 is sensitive to changes in these opposing reactions. Trx1 redox state and ROS generation were measured in cells exposed to the TrxR1 inhibitors aurothioglucose (ATG) and monomethylarsonous acid (MMA(III)) and in cells depleted of TrxR1 activity by siRNA knock down. The results showed that all three treatments inhibited TrxR1 activity to similar extents (90% inhibition), but that only MMA(III) exposure resulted in oxidation of Trx1. Similarly, ROS levels were elevated in response to MMA(III), but not in response to ATG or TrxR1 siRNA. Therefore, TrxR1 inhibition alone was not sufficient to oxidize Trx1, suggesting that Trx1-independent pathways should be considered when evaluating pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms involving TrxR1 inhibition.     

Oxidation and nuclear localization of thioredoxin-1 in sparse cell cultures

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were once viewed only as mediators of toxicity, but it is now recognized that they also contribute to redox signaling through oxidation of specific cysteine thiols on regulatory proteins. Cells in sparse cultures have increased ROS relative to confluent cultures, but it is not known whether protein redox states are affected under these conditions. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether culture conditions affect the redox state of thioredoxin-1 (Trx1), the protein responsible for reducing most oxidized proteins in the cytoplasm and nucleus. The results showed that Trx1 was more oxidized in sparse HeLa cell cultures than in confluent cells. The glutathione pool was also more oxidized, demonstrating that both of the major cellular redox regulating systems were affected by culture density. In addition, the total amount of Trx1 protein was lower and the subcellular distribution of Trx1 was different in sparse cells. Trx1 in sparse cultures was predominantly nuclear whereas it was predominantly cytoplasmic in confluent cultures. This localization pattern was not unique to HeLa cells as it was also observed in A549, Cos-1 and HEK293 cells. These findings demonstrate that Trx1 is subject to changes in expression, redox state and subcellular localization with changing culture density, indicating that the redox environments of the cytoplasm and the nucleus are distinct and have different requirements under different culture conditions.     

Mammalian thioredoxin is a direct inhibitor of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK) 1.

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK) 1 was recently identified as a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase kinase which activates the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase pathways and is required for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced apoptosis; however, the mechanism regulating ASK1 activity is unknown. Through genetic screening for ASK1-binding proteins, thioredoxin (Trx), a reduction/oxidation (redox)-regulatory protein thought to have anti-apoptotic effects, was identified as an interacting partner of ASK1. Trx associated with the N-terminal portion of ASK1 in vitro and in vivo. Expression of Trx inhibited ASK1 kinase activity and the subsequent ASK1-dependent apoptosis. Treatment of cells with N-acetyl-L-cysteine also inhibited serum withdrawal-, TNF-alpha- and hydrogen peroxide-induced activation of ASK1 as well as apoptosis. The interaction between Trx and ASK1 was found to be highly dependent on the redox status of Trx. Moreover, inhibition of Trx resulted in activation of endogenous ASK1 activity, suggesting that Trx is a physiological inhibitor of ASK1. The evidence that Trx is a negative regulator of ASK1 suggests possible mechanisms for redox regulation of the apoptosis signal transduction pathway as well as the effects of antioxidants against cytokine- and stress-induced apoptosis.     

Differential oxidation of thioredoxin-1, thioredoxin-2, and glutathione by metal ions

Metal toxicity often includes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent oxidative stress, but whether metals have different effects on the major thiol antioxidant systems is unknown. Here, we examine the effects of arsenic, cadmium, cesium, copper, iron, mercury, nickel, and zinc on glutathione (GSH), cytoplasmic thioredoxin-1 (Trx1), and mitochondrial thioredoxin-2 (Trx2) redox states. GSH/GSSG redox states were determined by HPLC, and Trx1 and Trx2 redox states were determined by Redox Western blot methods. Copper, iron, and nickel showed significant oxidation of GSH but relatively little oxidation of either Trx1 or Trx2. Arsenic, cadmium, and mercury showed little oxidation of GSH but significantly oxidized both Trx1 and Trx2. The magnitude of effects of arsenic, cadmium, and mercury was greater for the mitochondrial Trx2 (>60 mV) compared to the cytoplasmic Trx1 (20 to 40 mV). Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) may be activated by two different pathways, one dependent upon GSH and glutaredoxin and the other independent of GSH and dependent upon thioredoxin. ASK1 activation and cell death were observed with metals that oxidized thioredoxins but not with metals that oxidized GSH. These findings show that metals have differential oxidative effects on the major thiol antioxidant systems and that activation of apoptosis may be associated with metal ions that oxidize thioredoxin and activate ASK1. The differential oxidation of the major thiol antioxidant systems by metal ions suggest that the distinct thiol/disulfide redox couples represented by GSH/GSSG and the thioredoxins may convey different levels of control in apoptotic and toxic signaling pathways.     

Thioredoxin-1 redox signaling regulates cell survival in response to hyperoxia

The most common form of newborn chronic lung disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), is thought to be caused by oxidative disruption of lung morphogenesis, which results in decreased pulmonary vasculature and alveolar simplification. Although cellular redox status is known to regulate cellular proliferation and differentiation, redox-sensitive pathways associated with these processes in developing pulmonary epithelium are unknown. Redox-sensitive pathways are commonly regulated by cysteine thiol modifications. Therefore two thiol oxidoreductase systems, thioredoxin and glutathione, were chosen to elucidate the roles of these pathways on cell death. Studies herein indicate that thiol oxidation contributes to cell death through impaired activity of glutathione-dependent and thioredoxin (Trx) systems and altered signaling through redox-sensitive pathways. Free thiol content decreased by 71% with hyperoxic (95% oxygen) exposure. Increased cell death was observed during oxygen exposure when either the Trx or the glutathione-dependent system was pharmacologically inhibited with aurothioglucose (ATG) or buthionine sulfoximine, respectively. However, inhibition of the Trx system yielded the smallest decrease in free thiol content (1.44% with ATG treatment vs 21.33% with BSO treatment). Although Trx1 protein levels were unchanged, Trx1 function was impaired during hyperoxic treatment as indicated by progressive cysteine oxidation. Overexpression of Trx1 in H1299 cells utilizing an inducible construct increased cell survival during hyperoxia, whereas siRNA knockdown of Trx1 during oxygen treatment reduced cell viability. Overall, this indicated that a comparatively small pool of proteins relies on Trx redox functions to mediate cell survival in hyperoxia, and the protective functions of Trx1 are progressively lost by its oxidative inhibition. To further elucidate the role of Trx1, potential Trx1 redox protein–protein interactions mediating cytoprotection and cell survival pathways were determined by utilizing a substrate trap (mass action trapping) proteomics approach. With this method, known Trx1 targets were detected, including peroxiredoxin-1 as well as novel targets, including two HSP90 isoforms (HSP90AA1 and HSP90AB1). Reactive cysteines within the structure of HSP90 are known to modulate its ATPase-dependent chaperone activity through disulfide formation and S-nitrosylation. Whereas HSP90 expression is unchanged at the protein level during hyperoxic exposure, siRNA knockdown significantly increased hyperoxic cell death by 2.5-fold, indicating cellular dependence on HSP90 chaperone functions in response to hyperoxic exposure. These data support the hypothesis that hyperoxic impairment of Trx1 has a negative impact on HSP90-oxidative responses critical to cell survival, with potential implications for pathways implicated in lung development and the pathogenesis of BPD.