Purification and Characterization of Two Distinct NAD(P)H Dehydrogenases from Onion (Allium cepa L.) Root Plasma Membrane

Highly purified plasma membrane fractions were obtained from onion (Allium cepa L.) roots and used as a source for purification of redox proteins. Plasma membranes solubilized with Triton X-100 contained two distinct polypeptides showing NAD(P)H-dependent dehydrogenase activities. Dehydrogenase I was purified by gel filtration in Sephacryl S-300 HR, ion-exchange chromatography in DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B, and dye-ligand affinity chromatography in Blue-Sepharose CL-6B after biospecific elution with NADH. Dehydrogenase I consisted of a single polypeptide of about 27 kD and an isoelectric point of about 6. Dehydrogenase II was purified from the DEAE-unbound fraction by chromatography in Blue-Sepharose CL-6B and affinity elution with NADH. Dehydrogenase II consisted of a single polypeptide of about 31 kD and an isoelectric point of about 8. Purified dehydrogenase I oxidized both NADPH and NADH, although higher rates of electron transfer were obtained with NADPH. Maximal activity was achieved with NADPH as donor and juglone or coenzyme Q as acceptor. Dehydrogenase II was specific for NADH and exhibited maximal activity with ferricyanide. Optimal pH for both dehydrogenases was about 6. Dehydrogenase I was moderately inhibited by dicumarol, thenoyltrifluoroacetone, and the thiol reagent N-ethyl-maleimide. A strong inhibition of dehydrogenase II was obtained with dicumarol, thenoyltrifluoroacetone, and the thiol reagent p-hydroxymercuribenzoate.     

Effects of growth regulators and light on chloroplasts NAD(P)H dehydrogenase activities of senescent barley leaves

The activities NADH and NADPH dehydrogenases were measured with ferricyanide as electron-acceptor (NADH-FeCN-ox and NADPH-FeCN-ox, respectively) in mitochondria-free chloroplasts of barley leaf segments after receiving various treatments affecting senescence. NADPH-FeCN-ox declined during senescence in the dark, in a way similar to chlorophyll and Hill reaction, and increased when leaf segments were incubated at light. These results suggest that NADPH-FeCN-ox is related to some photosynthetic electron transporter activity (probably ferredoxin-NADP⁺ oxidoreductase). In contrast, NADH-FeCN-ox is notably stable during senescence in the dark and at light. This activity increased during incubation with kinetin or methyl-jasmonate (Me-JA) but decreased when leaf segments were treated with abscisic acid (ABA). The effects of the inhibitors of protein synthesis cycloheximide and chloramphenicol suggest that the changes of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase activities may depend on protein synthesis in chloroplasts. In senescent leaf, chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase might be a way to dissipate NADH produced in the degradation of excess carbon which is released from the degradation of amino acids.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - DCPIP 2,6-dichlorophenol-indo-phenol - DOC deoxycholate - Me-JA methyl jasmonate - NADH-FeCN-ox NADH ferricyanide oxidoreductase - NADPH-FeCN-ox NADPH ferricyanide oxidoreductase     

The proton-pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) of Aquifex aeolicus

The proton-pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, also called complex I, is the first energy-transducing complex of many respiratory chains. Homologues of complex I are present in the three domains of life. Here, we report the properties of complex I in membranes of the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus. The complex reacted with NADH but not with NADPH and F(420)H(2) as electron donors. Short-chain analogues of ubiquinone like decyl-ubiquinone and ubiquinone-2 were suitable electron acceptors. The affinities towards NADH and ubiquinone-2 were comparable to the ones obtained with the Escherichia coli complex I. The reaction was inhibited by piericidin A at the same concentration as in E. coli. The complex showed an unusual pH optimum at pH 9 and a maximal rate at 80 degrees C. We found no evidence for the presence of an alternative, single subunit NADH dehydrogenase in A. aeolicus membranes. The NADH:ferricyanide reductase activity of detergent extracts of A. aeolicus membranes sedimented as a protein with a molecular mass of approximately 550 kDa. From the data we concluded that A. aeolicus contains a NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase resembling complex I of mesophilic bacteria.     

Pyridine nucleotide-dependent ferricyanide reduction associated with isolated plasma membranes of maize (Zea mays L.) roots

Summary Plasma membranes (PM) from maize roots (Zea mays L.) were isolated by aqueous two-phase partitioning. The isolated membrane fraction showed a 4.6-fold enrichment in specific activity of the PM marker enzyme vanadate-sensitive, Mg²⁺-ATPase over a microsomal pellet collected at 50,000 × g. Activities of marker enzymes for mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, tonoplast, and Golgi apparatus were low or not detectable in the PM fraction. Quantitative morphometric analysis using the PM-specific silicotungstic acid stain showed the fraction to be > 92% PM vesicles. Using detergent stimulation of ATPase activity as a measure of structurally linked latency, greater than 90% of the PM vesicles were oriented with the cytoplasmic surface inside.An electron transport activity was investigated in the PM fraction. The rate of NADH oxidation in the absence of an artificial electron acceptor was < 167pkat·mg protein^–1; however, NADH catalysed the reduction of a variety of artificial electron acceptors including ferricyanide (2.6 nkat·mg protein^–1), cytochromec (0.8 nkat·mg protein^–1), a tetrazolium derivative (0.6 nkat·mg protein^–1) and dichlorophenol indophenol (0.4 nkat·mg protein^–1). While the NADH-dependent ferricyanide and dichlorophenol indophenol reductases were stimulated 6-fold by 0.025% (v/v) Triton X-100, the cytochromec and INT reductases were not greatly stimulated. Washing membranes with high salt significantly decreased the NADH-dependent, and eliminated the NADPH-dependent, ferricyanide reductase activity measured in the absence of detergent. These results suggest that NADH was oxidized on the extracytoplasmic surface of the membrane; however, a significant portion of this activity was extrinsic and may have originated from cytoplasmic contamination during isolation. The greater portion of the PM-associated NAD(P)H oxidation and/or ferricyanide reduction was catalyzed on sites not exposed to the outer surface of the membrane.Abbreviations BTP 1,3-bis[tris(hydroxymethyl)-methylamino]-propane - CHAPS 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate dihydrate - cytc cytochromec - DCIP 2,6-dichlorophenol indolphenol - INT 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride - kat mole·s^–1 - Mes 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid - MF microsomal fraction - PM plasma membrane - STA silicotungstic acid - Tris 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol The mention of vendor or product does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by U.S. Department of Agriculture over vendors of similar products not mentioned.     

Effect of calcium ions and inhibitors on internal NAD(P)H dehydrogenases in plant mitochondria.

Both the external oxidation of NADH and NADPH in intact potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Bintje) tuber mitochondria and the rotenone-insensitive internal oxidation of NADPH by inside-out submitochondrial particles were dependent on Ca2+. The stimulation was not due to increased permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Neither the membrane potential nor the latencies of NAD(+)-dependent and NADP(+)-dependent malate dehydrogenases were affected by the addition of Ca2+. The pH dependence and kinetics of Ca(2+)-dependent NADPH oxidation by inside-out submitochondrial particles were studied using three different electron acceptors: O2, duroquinone and ferricyanide. Ca2+ increased the activity with all acceptors with a maximum at neutral pH and an additional minor peak at pH 5.8 with O2 and duroquinone. Without Ca2+, the activity was maximal around pH 6. The Km for NADPH was decreased fourfold with ferricyanide and duroquinone, and twofold with O2 as acceptor, upon addition of Ca2+. The Vmax was not changed with ferricyanide as acceptor, but increased twofold with both duroquinone and O2. Half-maximal stimulation of the NADPH oxidation was found at 3 microM free Ca2+ with both O2 and duroquinone as acceptors. This is the first report of a membrane-bound enzyme inside the inner mitochondrial membrane which is directly dependent on micromolar concentrations of Ca2+. Mersalyl and dicumarol, two potent inhibitors of the external NADH dehydrogenase in plant mitochondria, were found to inhibit internal rotenone-insensitive NAD(P)H oxidation, at the same concentrations and in manners very similar to their effects on the external NAD(P)H oxidation.     

The NADH dehydrogenase of the respiratory chain of Escherichia coli. II. Kinetics of the purified enzyme and the effects of antibodies elicited against it on membrane-bound and free enzyme.

The purified respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli oxidizes NADH with either dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP). ferricyanide, or menadione as electron acceptors, with values for NADH are similar with the three electron acceptors (approximately 50 muM). The purified enzyme contains no flavin and has an absolute requirement for FAD, with Km values around 4 muM. The pH optimum of the enzyme appears to be between 6.5 and 7; the optimum is difficult to establish because of nonenzymatic reduction of DCIP at the lower pH values. Potassium cyanide stimulates the DCIP reductase activity about 2-fold, but has no effect on ferricyanide reductase. The enzyme exhibits hyperbolic kinetics with respect to NADH concentration in both the ferricyanide and DCIP reductase assays, but cooperatively is seen in the menadione reductase reaction. NAD+ is an effective competitive inhibitor of the reaction (Ki congruent to 20 muM); in the presence of NAD+, the NADH saturation curve becomes cooperative, even in the DCIP reductase assay. Many adenine containing nucleotides are competitive inhibitors of the enzyme. The apparent Ki values for these nucleotides as inhibitors of the purified enzyme, the membrane-bound NADH dehydrogenase, and the NADH oxidase are equivalent. An examination of inhibitory effects of a series of adenine nucleotides suggests that the inhibitors act as analogues of NAD+, which is the true physiological inhibitor. The results suggest that the enzyme in situ is always partially inhibited by the levels of NAD- in the E coli cell, and thus behaves in a cooperative fashion to changes in the NAD+/NADH ratio. An antibody has been elicited against the purified NADH dehydrogenase. Immunodiffusion and crossed immunoelectrophoresis show that the antibody is directed principally against the NADH dehydrogenase, with some activity against minor contaminants in the purified preparation. The antibody inhibits NADH dehydrogenase activity 50% at saturating levels. When this antibody preparation is used to examine solubilized membrane preparations, two major immunoprecipitates are found. A parallel inhibition of the membrane-bound NADH dehydrogenase and NADH oxidase activities is seen, supporting the hypothesis that the purified enzyme is indeed a component of the respiratory chain-dependent NADH oxidase pathway.     

Kinetic and functional characterization of a membrane-bound NAD(P)H dehydrogenase located in the chloroplasts of Pleurochloris meiringensis (Xanthophyceae)

Using isolated chloroplasts or purified thylakoids from photoautotrophically grown cells of the chromophytic alga Pleurochloris meiringensis (Xanthophyceae) we were able to demonstrate a membrane bound NAD(P)H dehydrogenase activity. NAD(P)H oxidation was detectable with menadione, coenzyme Q₀, decylplastoquinone and decylubiquinone as acceptors in an in vitro assay. K _m-values for both pyridine nucleotides were in the molar range (K _m[NADH]=9.8 M, K _m[NADPH]=3.2 M calculated according to Lineweaver-Burk). NADH oxidation was optimal at pH 9 while pH dependence of NADPH oxidation showed a main peak at 9.8 and a smaller optimum at pH 7.5–8. NADH oxidation could be completely inhibited with rotenone, an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I dehydrogenase, while NADPH oxidation revealed the typical inhibition pattern upon addition of oxidized pyridine nucleotides reported for ferredoxin: NADP⁺ reductase. Partly-denaturing gel electrophoresis followed by NAD(P)H dehydrogenase activity staining showed that NADPH and NADH oxidizing proteins had different electrophoretic mobilities. As revealed by denaturing electrophoresis, the NADH oxidizing enzyme had one main subunit of 22 kDa and two further polypeptides of 29 and 44 kDa, whereas separation of the NADPH depending protein yielded five bands of different molecular weight. Measurement of oxygen consumption due to PS I mediated methylviologen reduction upon complete inhibition of PS II showed that the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase is able to catalyze an input of electrons from NADH to the photosynthetic electron transport chain in case of an oxidized plastoquinone-pool. We suggest ferredoxin: NADP⁺ reductase to be the main NADPH oxidizing activity while a thylakoidal NAD(P)H: plastoquinone oxidoreductase involved in the chlororespiratory pathway in the dark acts mainly as an NADH oxidizing enzyme.Abbreviations Coenzyme Q₀-2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone - FNR ferredoxin: NADP⁺ reductase - MD menadione - MV methylviologen - NDH NAD(P)H dehydrogenase - PQ plastoquinone - PQ₁₀ decylplastoquinone - SDH succinate dehydrogenase - UQ₁₀ decylubiquinone (2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-decyl-1,4-benzoquinone)     

NADH diferric transferrin reductase in liver plasma membrane

Evidence is presented that rat liver plasma membranes contain a distinct NADH diferric transferrin reductase. Three different assay procedures for demonstration of the activity are described. The enzyme activity is highest in isolated plasma membrane, and activity in other internal membranes is one-eighth or less than in plasma membrane. The activity is inhibited by apotransferrin and antitransferrin antibodies. Trypsin treatment of the membranes leads to rapid loss of the transferrin reductase activity as compared with NADH ferricyanide reductase activity. Erythrocyte plasma membranes, which lack transferrin receptors, show no diferric transferrin reductase activity, although NADH ferricyanide reductase is present. The transferrin reductase is inhibited by agents that inhibit diferric transferrin reduction by intact cells and is activated by CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfate) detergent. Inhibitors of mitochondrial electron transport have no effect on the activity. We propose that the NADH diferric transferrin reductase in plasma membranes measures the activity of the enzyme that causes the reduction of diferric transferrin by intact cells. This transmembrane electron transport system requires the transferrin receptor for diferric transferrin reduction. Because the transmembrane electron transport has been shown to stimulate cell growth, the reduction of diferric transferrin at the cell surface may be an important function for diferric transferrin in stimulation of cell growth, in addition to its role in iron transport.     

Studies on NADH(NADPH)-cytochrome c reductase (FMN-containing) from yeast: steady-state kinetic properties of the flavoenzyme from top-fermenting ale yeast

A study of the steady-state kinetics of NADH(NADPH)-cytochrome c reductase (FMN-containing) from ale yeast (M. S. Johnson and S. A. Kuby (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 12341-12350) has led to a postulated three-substrate random-ordered hybrid mechanism, where NAD(P)H and FMN add randomly and very likely in a steady-state fashion, followed by an ordered addition of cytochrome c. Kinetic parameters have been derived from this mechanism. Arrhenius plots showed large differences between NADH and NADPH, as the substrate-reductant. Menadione accelerated cytochrome c reduction and also O2 uptake, but vitamin K1 and coenzyme Q10 were ineffective as electron mediators, possibly as a result of their insolubility. With NADPH as the substrate-reductant, the order of the rate of reduction of electron acceptors was ferricyanide greater than DCIP greater than cytochrome c greater than oxygen; with menadione, the specificity sequence was cytochrome c greater than ferricyanide greater than DCIP greater than oxygen. With NADH, the order was ferricyanide greater than cytochrome c greater than oxygen greater than DCIP, which changed to cytochrome c greater than ferricyanide greater than oxygen greater than DCIP on addition of menadione. Cytochrome b5 was also reduced in the absence of oxygen. No transhydrogenase activity was observed, but the reduced thionicotinamide analogs of NADH and NADPH acted as substrates. Superoxide dismutase inhibited cytochrome c reduction in air by 50%, but O2-. was not necessary for cytochrome c reduction, as evidenced by the increase in rate in the absence of O2. The product of the reaction with oxygen appeared to be H2O2.     

Purification and resolution of NADH diaphorase activity from NADPH diaphorase-linked: O2 oxidoreductase activity of human neutrophils

Intrinsic NADPH diaphorase activity is a component of the membrane-bound NAD(P)H:O2 oxidoreductase of human neutrophils. NADH-specific diaphorase activity is also present in membrane fractions rich in oxidoreductase activity. Studies were undertaken to determine whether the NADH diaphorase might also be intrinsic to the oxidoreductase. The latter diaphorase was freed from the membrane by detergent extraction and partially purified approximately 80-fold. Its apparent molecular weight following solubilization in deoxycholate and Tween-20 was 204 000 +/- 10 000. The specific activity of the partially purified diaphorase with ferricyanide as electron acceptor was 7.6 X 10(3) mU/mg protein, its pH optimum was 7.0, and its Km for NADH was 13 microM. It is completely devoid of NADPH diaphorase activity, lacks the capacity to reduce molecular oxygen, yet readily reduces ferricyanide, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol and ferricytochrome c. Whereas the NADH diaphorase was freed from the particulate fraction of cell lysates by extraction in 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.6) made up in 15% glycerol and 0.5% Tween-20, NADPH-dependent diaphorase and superoxide-generating activities also present in the membrane were not. These observations make it unlikely that the principal membrane-bound NADH diaphorase found in human neutrophils is a component of the NAD(P)H:O2 oxidoreductase, despite its common association in the same particulate fraction of cell lysates.     

NAD(P)H oxidation elicits anion superoxide formation in radish plasmalemma vesicles

Radish plasmalemma-enriched fractions show an NAD(P)H-ferricyanide or NAD(P)H-cytochrome c oxidoreductase activity which is not influenced by pH in the 4.5-7.5 range. In addition, at pH 4.5-5.0, NAD(P)H elicits an oxygen consumption (NAD(P)H oxidation) inhibited by catalase or superoxide dismutase (SOD), added either before or after NAD(P)H addition. Ferrous ions stimulate NAD(P)H oxidation, which is again inhibited by SOD and catalase. Hydrogen peroxide does not stimulate NADH oxidation, while it does stimulate Fe2+-induced NADH oxidation. NADH oxidation is unaffected by salicylhydroxamic acid and Mn2+, is stimulated by ferulic acid, and inhibited by KCN, EDTA and ascorbic acid. Moreover, NADH induces the conversion of epinephrine to adrenochrome, indicating that anion superoxide is formed during its oxidation. These results provide evidence that radish plasma membranes contain an NAD(P)H-ferricyanide or cytochrome c oxidoreductase and an NAD(P)H oxidase, active only at pH 4.5-5.0, able to induce the formation of anion superoxide, that is then converted to hydrogen peroxide. Ferrous ions, sparking a Fenton reaction, would stimulate NAD(P)H oxidation.     

Inactivation of serine:glyoxylate and glutamate:glyoxylate aminotransferases from tobacco leaves by glyoxylate in the presence of ammonium ion

Different organs of maize seedlings are known to contain different complements of NADH and NAD(P)H nitrate reductase (NR) activity. The study of the genetic programming that gives rise to such differences can be initiated by looking for genetic variants exhibiting different patterns of distribution of the above enzymes. We demonstrate in this work that scutella of very young maize seedlings contain NADH NR almost exclusively and that this activity is gradually replaced, as the seedling ages, with NAD(P)H NR. Leaves in the seedlings contain exclusively the NADH NR activity. A genetic variant is described that contains much reduced levels of NAD(P)H NR activity but not of NADH NR activity in the scutellum. This same variant exhibits a relatively low level of NAD(P)H NR but normal NADH NR activity in seedling root tips. These observations suggest that the genetic program used to specify the scutellar complement of NR activity shares some common components with the genetic program used to determine the young root tip complement of NR activities. Parts of regenerating callus at different stages of differentiation were examined to determine when the differences in NR complement begin to appear. The same pattern of NADH NR and NAD(P)H NR activities was found in unorganized as well as in organized callus, in recognizable root-like and even in green shoot-like material, both activities being present in all these tissues. An examination of the NR complement in different organs of a number of siblings originating from a cross involving transposon Mu-containing parents and having different levels of leaf NADH NR activity shows that the leaf NADH NR activity content and the scutellum NAD(P)H NR activity content are relatively independent of each other, indicating that the genetic programs specifying the NR content of these organs are not tightly coupled, if at all.     

Properties and synthesis regulation of NAD(P)H dehydrogenases from Rhodobacter capsulatus

Three NAD(P)H dehydrogenases were found and purified from a soluble fraction of cells of the purple non-sulfur bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus, strain B10. Molecular mass of NAD(P)H, NADPH and NADH dehydrogenases are 67 000 (4 · 18 000), 35 000 and 39 000, and the isoelectric points are 4.6, 4.3 and 4.5, respectively. NAD(P)H dehydrogenase is characterized by a higher sensitivity to quinacrine, NADPH dehydrogenase by its sensitivity to p-chloromercuribenzoate and NADH dehydrogenase by its sensitivity to sodium arsenite. In contrast to the other two enzymes, NAD(P)H dehydrogenase is capable of oxidizing NADPH as well as NADH, but the ratio of their oxidation rates depends on the pH. All NAD(P)H dehydrogenases reacted with ferricyanide, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, benzoquinone and naphthoquinone, but did not exhibit transhydrogenase, reductase or oxidase activity. Moreover, NADH dehydrogenase was also capable of reducing FAD and FMN. NAD(P)H and NADH dehydrogenases possessed cytochrome-c reductase activity, which was stimulated by menadione and ubiquinone Q₁. The activity of NAD(P)H and NADH dehydrogenases depended on culture-growth conditions. The activity of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase from cells grown under chemoheterotrophic aerobic conditions was the lowest and it increased notably under photoheterotrophic anaerobic conditions upon lactate or malate growth limitation. The activity of NADH dehydrogenase was higher from the cells grown under photoheterotrophic anaerobic conditions upon nitrate growth limitation and under chemoheterotrophic aerobic conditions. NADPH dehydrogenase synthesis dependence on R. capsulatus growth conditions was insignificant.     

Sensitivities of the alternative respiratory components of potato tuber mitochondria to thiol reagents and Ca2+.

Plant mitochondria differ from those of mammals, since they incorporate an alternative electron transport pathway, which branches at ubiquinol to an alternative oxidase (AOX), characteristically inhibited by salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM). Another feature of plant mitochondria is that besides complex I (EC 1.6.5.3) they possess alternative NAD(P)H-dehydrogenases insensitive to rotenone. Many stress conditions are known to alter the expression of the alternative electron transport pathway in plant mitochondria. In the present study we investigated the effects of some thiol reagents and Ca(2+) on potato mitochondrial respiratory chain presenting different activities of the alternative respiratory components AOX and external NADH dehydrogenase, a condition induced by previous treatment of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Bintje) to cold stress. The results showed that Ca(2+) presented an inhibitory effect on AOX pathway in potato mitochondria energized with NADH or succinate, which was only now observed when the cytochrome pathway was inhibited by cyanide. When the cytochrome pathway was functional, Ca(2+) stimulated the external NADH dehydrogenase. Diamide was a potent AOX inhibitor and this effect was only now observed when the cytochrome pathway was inactive, as was the case for the calcium ion. Mersalyl inhibited the externally located NADH dehydrogenase and had no effect on AOX activity. The results may represent an important function of Ca(2+) on the alternative mitochondrial enzymes NADH-DH(ext) and AOX.     

Evidence for coenzyme Q function in transplasma membrane electron transport

Transplasma membrane electron transport activity has been associated with stimulation of cell growth. Coenzyme Q is present in plasma membranes and because of its lipid solubility would be a logical carrier to transport electrons across the plasma membrane. Extraction of coenzyme Q from isolated rat liver plasma membranes decreases the NADH ferricyanide reductase and added coenzyme Q10 restores the activity. Piericidin and other analogs of coenzyme Q inhibit transplasma membrane electron transport as measured by ferricyanide reduction by intact cells and NADH ferricyanide reduction by isolated plasma membranes. The inhibition by the analogs is reversed by added coenzyme Q10. Thus, coenzyme Q in plasma membrane may act as a transmembrane electron carrier for the redox system which has been shown to control cell growth.     

Electron spin resonance characterization of the NAD(P)H oxidase in vascular smooth muscle cells

Endogenously produced reactive oxygen species are important for intracellular signaling mechanisms leading to vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth. It is therefore critical to define the potential enzymatic sources of ROS and their regulation by agonists in VSMCs. Previous studies have investigated O2*- production using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. However, lucigenin has been recently criticized for its ability to redox cycle and its propensity to measure cellular reductase activity independent from O2*-. To perform a definitive characterization of VSMC oxidase activity, we used electron spin resonance trapping of O2*- with DEPMPO. We confirmed that the main source of O2*- from VSMC membranes is an NAD(P)H oxidase and that the O2*- formation from mitochondria, xanthine oxidase, arachidonate-derived enzymes, and nitric oxide synthases in VSMC membranes was minor. The VSMC NAD(P)H oxidase(s) are able to produce more O2*- when NADPH is used as the substrate compared to NADH (the maximal NADPH signal is 2.4- +/- 0.4-fold higher than the NADH signal). The two substrates had similar EC(50)'s ( approximately 10-50 microM). Stimulation with angiotensin II and platelet-derived growth factor also predominantly increased the NADPH-driven signal (101 +/- 8% and 83 +/- 1% increase above control, respectively), with less of an effect on NADH-dependent O2*- (17 +/- 3% and 36 +/- 5% increase, respectively). Moreover, incubation of the cells with diphenylene iodonium inhibited predominantly NADPH-stimulated O2*-. In conclusion, electron spin resonance characterization of VSMC oxidase activity supports a major role for an NAD(P)H oxidase in O2*- production in VSMCs, and provides new evidence concerning the substrate dependency and agonist-stimulated activity of this key enzyme.     

NAD(P)H dehydrogenases on the inner surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane studied using inside-out submitochondrial particles

Submitochondrial particles (SMP) were isolated from potato ( Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Bintje) tubers. The SMP were 91% inside-out and they were able to form a membrane potential, as monitored by oxonol VI, with succinate, NADH and NADPH. The pH dependence and kinetics of NADH and NADPH oxidation by these SMP was studied using three different electron acceptors – O₂, duroquinone and ferricyanide. In addition, the SMP were solubilized, fractionated by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the gels were stained for NAD(P)H dehydrogenase activity and specificity at different pH using Nitro Blue Tetrazolium. From the results we conclude that there are at least two distinct NAD(P)H dehydrogenases on the inner surface of the inner membrane: (1) Complex 1 which oxidizes NADH and deamino-NADH in a rotenone-sensitive manner, (O₂ as acceptor) with optimum activity at pH 8 and a very low K_m(NADH) of 3 μ M . It also oxidizes NADPH and deamino-NADPH in a rotenone-sensitive manner, but with a pH optimum at pH 5.8 and a very high K_m(NADPH) of more than 1 m M . This complex is found as a broad, diffuse band at the top of the gels. (2) A second dehydrogenase which oxidizes NADH in a rotenone-insensitive manner with optimum activity at pH 6.2 and a higher K_m(NADH) of 14 μ M . It also oxidizes NADPH in a rotenone-insensitive manner with an activity optimum at pH 6.8 and low K_m(NADPH) of 25 μ M . This dehydrogenase does not oxidize deamino-NAD(P)H. One of the sharp bands around the middle of the native gels may be caused by this dehydrogenase indicating that it has a relatively low molecular mass compared to Complex I. Several other NAD(P)H dehydrogenase bands were observed on the gels which we cannot yet assign.     

Pyridine nucleotide pool size changes in iron-deficient Plantago lanceolata roots during reduction of external oxidants

The involvement of pyridine nucleotides in the reduction of extracytoplasmatic electron acceptors by iron-deficient Plantago lanceolata L. roots has been examined by measuring the changes in NAD(P)H and NAD(P)⁻ induced by various external acceptors. Exposure of the plants to FeEDTA, ferricyanide, ferric citrate or hexachloroiri-date resulted in a transient decrease in NADPH and an increase in NAD⁻. No major differences in this pattern were observed between acceptors which were assumed to be reduced by different enzymes. The application of the membrane-permeable oxidant nitro blue tetrazolium led to similar changes in reduced and oxidized pyridine nucleotides and decreased the reduction of external acceptors. The amino acid analog p -fluorophenylalanine caused a transient decline in both NADPH level and NADPH/ NADP⁻ ratio and a decrease in the ratio of NADH to NAD⁻ without affecting the level of NADH. Exposure of the plants to the translation inhibitor cycloheximide increased both NADH and NADPH concentrations. A comparison of the redox activities and pyridine nucleotide fractions after inhibitor treatment revealed that the constitutive, but not iron stress-induced redox activity correlates with NADPH levels. These results are interpreted as confirming that the redox systems on the root plasma membrane are separately regulated. Possible metabolic reactions during the reduction processes are discussed.     

NAD(P)H-utilizing oxidoreductases of the plasma membrane An overview of presently purified proteins

Summary A considerable number of studies have demonstrated the presence of NAD(P)-oxidoreductases in the plant and animal cell plasma membranes. Recently several attempts on the isolation and purification of these proteins have been presented. The results indicate the presence of distinct NAD(P)H-utilizing enzymes in the plasma membrane of several species. Proteins with molecular masses of 27 kDa, 31 kDa, 36–39 kDa, and 45 kDa have been identified. Little information is so far available on the presence and nature of the chromophores on these proteins. The electron donor and acceptor specificities of the purified enzymes seem to depend to some extent on the purification procedures used. Two interesting remarks became apparent when evaluating the literature available on this subject. First, although some plasma membrane NAD(P)H-oxidoreductase activity is transmembrane, none of the purified enzymes was reported to depend on the presence of polar lipids to reach full activity. Second, considerable amounts of enzyme activity were found in the non-solubilised membrane material and apparently resisted the solubilisation procedures. The nature of these activities has not yet been clarified. Clearly the amino acid sequencing and structural analysis of these proteins will reveal important new clues to the understanding of the plasma membrane electron transport in the near future.Abbreviations DQ duroquinone - HCF hexacyanoferrate (III)     

The stereospecificity,purification, and characterization of an NADH-ferricyanide reductase from spinach leaf plasma membrane

Summary The stereospecificity of NADH-ferricyanide reductase activities in the inner mitochondrial membrane, peroxisomal membrane, plasma membrane and tonoplast are all specific for the -hydrogen of NADH whereas the reductases in the ER, the Golgi and the outer mitochondrial membrane are -specific. This shows unequivocally that the NADH-ferricyanide activity in the plasma membrane is not caused by ER contamination. In all the membranes one or several polypeptides with an apparent size of 45–50 kDa cross-react with antibodies raised against a microsomal NADH-ferricyanide reductase. An NADH-ferricyanide reductase was purified from spinach leaf plasma membranes. The enzyme was released from the membrane by CHAPS solubilization and purified 360-fold by ion-exchange chromatography followed by affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography on FPLC. A major band of 45 kDa was detected by SDS-PAGE and it cross-reacted with the anti-NADH-ferricyanide reductase antibodies. The native size of the enzyme is 160 kDa as determined by size-exclusion chromatography indicating that it is a tetramer. Isoelectric focusing revealed three isoenzymes between pH 5.3 and 5.6. The enzyme shows typical FAD fluorescence spectra with excitation peaks at 371 and 468 nm and an emission peak at 525 nm. It is specific for the -hydrogen of NADH and prefers NADH over NADPH as electron donor. It is highly specific for ferricyanide as electron acceptor and it is therefore unlikely to be the enzyme responsible for iron reduction on the outer surface of the plasma membrane.Abbreviations CHAPS 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammoniol]-1-propanesulfonate - DQ duroquinone - FPLC fast protein liquid chromatography; Ferricyanide hexacyanoferrate(III) - NEM N-ethylmaleimide - PCMB p-chloromercurobenzoate - SHAM salicylhydroxamic acid - SMP submitochondrial particles