Thiol/disulfide redox states in signaling and sensing

Abstract

Rapid advances in redox systems biology are creating new opportunities to understand complexities of human disease and contributions of environmental exposures. New understanding of thiol–disulfide systems have occurred during the past decade as a consequence of the discoveries that thiol and disulfide systems are maintained in kinetically controlled steady states displaced from thermodynamic equilibrium, that a widely distributed family of NADPH oxidases produces oxidants that function in cell signaling and that a family of peroxiredoxins utilize thioredoxin as a reductant to complement the well-studied glutathione antioxidant system for peroxide elimination and redox regulation. This review focuses on thiol/disulfide redox state in biologic systems and the knowledge base available to support development of integrated redox systems biology models to better understand the function and dysfunction of thiol–disulfide redox systems. In particular, central principles have emerged concerning redox compartmentalization and utility of thiol/disulfide redox measures as indicators of physiologic function. Advances in redox proteomics show that, in addition to functioning in protein active sites and cell signaling, cysteine residues also serve as redox sensors to integrate biologic functions. These advances provide a framework for translation of redox systems biology concepts to practical use in understanding and treating human disease. Biological responses to cadmium, a widespread environmental agent, are used to illustrate the utility of these advances to the understanding of complex pleiotropic toxicities.     

非洲爪蟾早期胚胎发育中的Wnt信号

非洲爪蟾是脊椎动物胚胎发育研究中的几种重要模式生物之一,为揭示早期胚胎发育中的分子调控机制做出了显著的贡献.其中一个重要的发现就是细胞信号通路在胚胎发育中起到非常关键的调控作用.本文简单介绍Wnt信号在爪蟾早期胚胎发育不同时期的几种调控作用.     

Glutathione synthesis and its role in redox signaling

Glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant antioxidant and a major detoxification agent in cells. It is synthesized through two-enzyme reaction catalyzed by glutamate cysteine ligase and glutathione synthetase, and its level is well regulated in response to redox change. Accumulating evidence suggests that GSH may play important roles in cell signaling. This review will focus on the biosynthesis of GSH, the reaction of S-glutathionylation (the conjugation of GSH with thiol residue on proteins), GSNO, and their roles in redox signaling.     

Protein and lipid nitration: role in redox signaling and injury

Protein and lipid nitration represent novel footprints of oxidative and nitrative stress processes. In this review, we first discuss the mechanisms of formation of protein 3-nitrotyrosine and nitrated fatty acids as well as their key biological and signaling actions. Elevation of protein 3-nitrotyrosine levels is associated to tissue injury, and some specific nitrated proteins play a causative role in disease progression; on the other hand, the substantiation on the role of tyrosine nitration on redox signaling is rather scarce. Herein, we also provide evidence to support that the nitration of lipids (i.e. to nitrofatty acids) results in the formation of novel endogenous modulators of redox processes, partially counteracting pro-inflammatory effects of oxidant exposure.     

Mitochondria and calcium signaling in embryonic development

Calcium (Ca²⁺) is a simple but critical signal for controlling various cellular processes and is especially important in fertilization and embryonic development. The dynamic change of cellular Ca²⁺ concentration and homeostasis are tightly regulated. Cellular Ca²⁺ increases by way of Ca²⁺ influx from extracellular medium and Ca²⁺ release from cellular stores of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The elevated Ca²⁺ is subsequently sequestered by expelling it out of the cell or by pumping back to the ER/SR. Mitochondria function as a power house for energy production via oxidative phosphorylation in most eukaryotes. In addition to this well-known function, mitochondria are also recognized to regulate Ca²⁺ homeostasis through different mechanisms. Although critical roles of Ca²⁺ signaling in fertilization and embryonic development are known, the involvement of mitochondria in these processes are not fully understood. This review is focused on the role of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I in the regulation of Ca²⁺ signaling pathway and gene expression in embryonic development, especially on the new findings in the cardiac development of Xenopus embryos. The data demonstrate that mitochondria modulate Ca²⁺ signaling and the Ca²⁺-dependent NFAT pathway and its target gene which are essential for embryonic heart development.     

The role of thioredoxin reductases in brain development

The thioredoxin-dependent system is an essential regulator of cellular redox balance. Since oxidative stress has been linked with neurodegenerative disease, we studied the roles of thioredoxin reductases in brain using mice with nervous system (NS)-specific deletion of cytosolic (Txnrd1) and mitochondrial (Txnrd2) thioredoxin reductase. While NS-specific Txnrd2 null mice develop normally, mice lacking Txnrd1 in the NS were significantly smaller and displayed ataxia and tremor. A striking patterned cerebellar hypoplasia was observed. Proliferation of the external granular layer (EGL) was strongly reduced and fissure formation and laminar organisation of the cerebellar cortex was impaired in the rostral portion of the cerebellum. Purkinje cells were ectopically located and their dendrites stunted. The Bergmann glial network was disorganized and showed a pronounced reduction in fiber strength. Cerebellar hypoplasia did not result from increased apoptosis, but from decreased proliferation of granule cell precursors within the EGL. Of note, neuron-specific inactivation of Txnrd1 did not result in cerebellar hypoplasia, suggesting a vital role for Txnrd1 in Bergmann glia or neuronal precursor cells.     

From embryonic development to human diseases: The functional role of caveolae/caveolin

Caveolae, an almost ubiquitous, structural component of the plasma membrane, play a critical role in many functions essential for proper cell function, including membrane trafficking, signal transduction, extracellular matrix remodeling, and tissue regeneration. Three main types of caveolin proteins have been identified from caveolae since the discovery of caveolin‐1 in the early 1990s. All three (Cav‐1, Cav‐2, and Cav‐3) play crucial roles in mammalian physiology, and can effect pathogenesis in a wide range of human diseases. While many biological activities of caveolins have been uncovered since its discovery, their role and regulation in embryonic develop remain largely poorly understood, although there is increasing evidence that caveolins may be linked to lung and brain birth defects. Further investigations are clearly needed to decipher how caveolae/caveolins mediate cellular functions and activities of normal embryogenesis and how their perturbations contribute to developmental disorders. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 108:45–64, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Prediction of pKa and redox properties in the thioredoxin superfamily

Electrostatic interactions play important roles in diverse biological phenomena controlling the function of many proteins. Polar molecules can be studied with the FDPB method solving the Poisson-Boltzmann equation on a finite difference grid. A method for the prediction of pK(a)s and redox potentials in the thioredoxin superfamily is introduced. The results are compared with experimental pK(a) data where available, and predictions are made for members lacking such data. Studying CxxC motif variation in the context of different background structures permits analysis of contributions to cysteine DeltapK(a)s. The motif itself and the overall framework regulate pK(a) variation. The reported method includes generation of multiple side-chain rotamers for the CxxC motif and is an effective predictive tool for functional pK(a) variation across the superfamily. Redox potential follows the trend in cysteine pK(a) variation, but some residual discrepancy indicates that a pH-independent factor plays a role in determining redox potentials for at least some members of the superfamily. A possible molecular basis for this feature is discussed.     

Methaneseleninic acid is a substrate for truncated mammalian thioredoxin reductase: implications for the catalytic mechanism and redox signaling

Mammalian thioredoxin reductase is a homodimeric pyridine nucleotide disulfide oxidoreductase that contains the rare amino acid selenocysteine (Sec) on a C-terminal extension. We previously have shown that a truncated version of mouse mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase missing this C-terminal tail will catalyze the reduction of a number of small molecules. Here we show that the truncated thioredoxin reductase will catalyze the reduction of methaneseleninic acid. This reduction is fast at pH 6.1 and is only 4-fold slower than that of the full-length enzyme containing Sec. This finding suggested to us that if the C-terminal Sec residue in the holoenzyme became oxidized to the seleninic acid form (Sec-SeO(2)(-)) that it would be quickly reduced back to an active state by enzymic thiols and further suggested to us that the enzyme would be very resistant to irreversible inactivation by oxidation. We tested this hypothesis by reducing the enzyme with NADPH and subjecting it to high concentrations of H(2)O(2) (up to 50 mM). The results show that the enzyme strongly resisted inactivation by 50 mM H(2)O(2). To determine the redox state of the C-terminal Sec residue, we attempted to inhibit the enzyme with dimedone. Dimedone alkylates protein sulfenic acid residues and presumably will alkylate selenenic acid (Sec-SeOH) residues as well. The enzyme was not inhibited by dimedone even when a 150-fold excess was added to the reaction mixture containing the enzyme and H(2)O(2). We also tested the ability of the truncated enzyme to resist inactivation by oxidation as well and found that it also was resistant to high concentrations of H(2)O(2). One assumption for the use of Sec in enzymes is that it is catalytically superior to the use of cysteine. We and others have previously suggested that there are reasons for the use of Sec in enzymes that are unrelated to the conversion of substrate to product. The data presented here support this assertion. The results also imply that the redox signaling function of the thioredoxin system can remain active under oxidative stress.     

Impaired redox signaling and mitochondrial uncoupling contributes vascular inflammation and cardiac dysfunction in type 1 diabetes: Protective role of arjunolic acid

Vascular inflammation and cardiac dysfunction are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among the diabetic patients. Type 1 diabetic mellitus (T1DM) is associated with increased cardiovascular complications at an early stage of the disease. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether arjunolic acid (AA) plays any protective role against cardiovascular complications in T1DM and if so, what molecular pathways it utilizes for the mechanism of its protective action. Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce T1DM in experimental rats. Alteration in plasma lipid profile and release of membrane bound enzymes like LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) and CK (creatine kinase) established the association of hyperlipidemia and cell membrane disintegration with hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia altered the levels of oxidative stress related biomarkers, decreased the intracellular NAD and ATP concentrations. Hyperglycemia-induced enhanced levels of VEGF, ICAM-1, MCP-1 and IL-6 in the plasma of STZ treated animals indicate vascular inflammation in T1DM. Histological studies and FACS analysis revealed that hyperglycemia caused cell death mostly via the apoptotic pathway. Investigating molecular mechanism, we observed NF-κB and MAPKs (p38 and ERK1/2) activations, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, cytochrome C release, caspase 3 activation and PARP cleavage in apoptotic cell death in the diabetic cardiac tissue. Treatment with AA (20 mg/kg body weight) reduced hyperglycemia, membrane disintegration, oxidative stress, vascular inflammation and prevented the activation of oxidative stress induced signaling cascades leading to cell death. Results suggest that AA possesses the potential to be a beneficial therapeutic agent in diabetes and its associated cardiac complications.     

Bioenergy sensing in the brain: The role of AMP-activated protein kinase in neuronal metabolism,development and neurological diseases

Bioenergy homeostasis constitutes one of the most crucial foundations upon which other cellular and organismal processes may be executed. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been shown to be the key player in the regulation of energy metabolism, and thus is becoming the focus of research on obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders. However, its role in the brain, the most energy-consuming organ in our body, has only recently been studied and appreciated. Widely expressed in the brain, AMPK activity is tightly coupled to the energy status at both neuronal and whole-body levels. Importantly, AMPK signaling is intimately implicated in multiple aspects of brain development and function including neuronal proliferation, migration, morphogenesis and synaptic communication, as well as in pathological conditions such as neuronal cell death, energy depletion and neurodegenerative disorders.Key words: AMPK, energy, neuron, brain, metabolism, glucose, neurodegenerative disease, cell death, neural development, polarization     

ErbB signaling in cardiac development and disease

The ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) is a family of receptors that allow cells to interact with the extracellular environment and transduce signals to the nucleus that promote differentiation, migration and proliferation necessary for proper heart morphogenesis and function. This review focuses on the role of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases, and their importance in proper heart morphogenesis, as well as their role in maintenance and function of the adult heart. Studies from transgenic mouse models have shown the importance of ErbB receptors in heart development, and provide insight into potential future therapeutic targets to help reduce congenital heart defect (CHD) mortality rates and prevent disease in adults. Cancer therapeutics have also shed light to the ErbB receptors and signaling network, as undesired side effects have demonstrated their importance in adult cardiomyocytes and prevention of cardiomyopathies. This review will discuss ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) in heart development and disease including valve formation and partitioning of a four-chambered heart as well as cardiotoxicity when ErbB signaling is attenuated in adults.