Study of the redox properties of naphthazarin (5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) and its glutathionyl conjugate in biological reactions: one- and two-electron enzymatic reduction

Naphthazarin (5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), the basic unit of several tetracyclic antitumor antibiotics, and its glutathione conjugate were reduced by the one- and two-electron transfer flavoproteins NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and DT-diaphorase to their semi- and hydroquinone forms, respectively. Kinetic studies performed on purified DT-diaphorase showed the following results: KNADPHm = 68 microM, KQuinonem = 0.92 microM, and Vmax 1300 nmol X min-1 X microgram enzyme-1. Similar studies performed on purified NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase indicated a lower KNADPHm (10.5 microM) and higher KQuinonem (2.3 microM). The Vmax values were 20-fold lower (46 nmol X min-1 X micrograms enzyme-1) than those observed with DT-diaphorase. DT-diaphorase reduced the naphthazarin-glutathione conjugate with an efficiency 5-fold lower than that observed with the parent quinone. The nucleophilic addition of GSH to naphthazarin proceeded with GSH consumption at rates slower than those observed with 1,4-naphthoquinone and its monohydroxy derivative, 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. The initial rate of GSH consumption during these reactions did not vary whether the assay was carried out under anaerobic or aerobic conditions. Autoxidation accompanied the DT-diaphorase and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase catalysis of naphthazarin and its glutathionyl adduct as well as the 1,4-reductive addition of GSH to naphthazarin. Superoxide dismutase at catalytic concentrations (nM range) enhanced slightly (1.1- to 1.6-fold) the autoxidation following the enzymatic catalysis of naphthazarin. Autoxidation during the GSH reductive addition to 1,4-naphthoquinones decreased with increasing number of -OH substituents, 1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, thus revealing that the contribution of redox transitions other than autoxidation, e.g., cross-oxidation, to the decay of the primary product of nucleophilic addition increases with increasing number of -OH substituents. Superoxide dismutase enhanced substantially the autoxidation of glutathionyl-naphthohydroquinone adducts, thereby affecting only slightly the total GSH consumed and GSSG formed during the reaction. The present results are discussed in terms of the relative contribution of one- and two-electron transfer flavoproteins to the bioreductive activation of naphthazarin and its glutathionyl conjugate as well as the importance of autoxidation reactions in the mechanism(s) of quinone cytotoxicity.     

Effect of superoxide dismutase on the autoxidation of substituted hydro- and semi-naphthoquinones

The effect of superoxide dismutase on the autoxidation of hydro- and semi-1,4-naphthoquinones with different substitution pattern and covering a one-electron reduction potential range from -95 to -415 mV was examined. The naphthoquinone derivatives were reduced via one or two electrons by purified NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase or DT-diaphorase, respectively. Superoxide dismutase did not alter or slightly enhance the initial rates of enzymic reduction, whereas it affected in a different manner the following autoxidation of the semi- and hydroquinones formed. Autoxidation was assessed as NADPH oxidation in excess to the amounts required to reduce the quinone present, H2O2 formation, and the redox state of the quinones. Superoxide dismutase enhanced 2--8-fold the autoxidation of 1,4-naphthosemiquinones, following the reduction of the oxidized counterpart by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, except for the glutathionyl-substituted naphthosemiquinones, whose autoxidation was not affected by superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase exerted two distinct effects on the autoxidation of naphthohydroquinones formed during DT-diaphorase catalysis: on the one hand, it enhanced slightly the autoxidation of 1,4-naphthohydroquinones with a hydroxyl substituent in the benzene ring: 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and the corresponding derivatives with methyl- and/or glutathionyl substituents at C2 and C3, respectively. On the other hand, superoxide dismutase inhibited the autoxidation of naphthohydroquinones that were either unsubstituted or with glutathionyl-, methyl-, methoxyl-, hydroxyl substituents (the latter in the quinoid ring). The inhibition of hydroquinone autoxidation was reflected as a decrease of NADPH oxidation, suppression of H2O2 production, and accumulation of the reduced form of the quinone. The enhancement of autoxidation of 1,4-naphthosemiquinones by superoxide dismutase has been previously rationalized in terms of the rapid removal of O2-. by the enzyme from the equilibrium of the autoxidation reaction (Q2-. + O2----Q + O2-.), thus displacing it towards the right. The superoxide dismutase-dependent inhibition of H2O2 formation as well as NADPH oxidation during the autoxidation of naphthohydroquinones--except those with a hydroxyl substituent in the benzene ring--seems to apply to those organic substrates which can break down with simultaneous formation of a semiquinone and O2-.. Inhibition of hydroquinone autoxidation by superoxide dismutase can be interpreted in terms of suppression by the enzyme of O2-.- dependent chain reactions or a direct catalytic interaction with the enzyme that might involve reduction of the semiquinone at expense of O2(-.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Inhibition of naphthohydroquinone autoxidation by DT-diaphorase (NAD(P)H:[quinone acceptor] oxidoreductase)

Summary

It has been reported that little redox cycling occurs during the reduction of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone by DT-diaphorase, suggesting that the reduction product, 2-methyl-1,4-naphthohydroquinone, does not readily undergo autoxidation. In the present study, however, it has been shown that DT-diaphorase, by virtue of its ability to re-reduce the naphthoquinone formed in the oxidation reaction, decreases the rate of autoxidation of 2-methyl-1,4- naphthohydroquinone. Therefore, the low rate of redox cycling observed does not reflect an intrinsic stability of the hydroquinone but inhibition of its autoxidation by the enzyme. Redox cycling of 2,3-dimethyl-, 2,3-dimethoxy- and 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, and the autoxidation of their respective hydroquinones, were similarly inhibited by diaphorase. The concentration of the enzyme required for inhibition varied widely among the different compounds, and this was related to the autoxidation rate of the hydroquinone and the rate at which the corresponding quinone was reduced by diaphorase. The behaviour of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone was exceptional in that the rate of redox cycling increased with increasing levels of diaphorase and no inhibition of the autoxidation of the hydroquinone derived from this substance could be demonstrated, even at very high enzyme concentrations. The results of the present experiments indicate that the relative stability of naphthohydroquinones cannot be judged on the basis of studies involving reduction of the quinone by DT-diaphorase and suggest that current concepts on the role of this enzyme in the detoxification of quinones may need revision.     

Concerted action of DT-diaphorase and superoxide dismutase in preventing redox cycling of naphthoquinones: An evaluation

It has been suggested that the enzymes DT-diaphorase and superoxide dismutase act in concert to prevent redox cycling of naphthoquinones and thus protect against the toxic effects of such substances. Little is known, however, about the scope of this process or the conditions necessary for its operation. In the presence of low levels of DT-diaphorase, 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone was found to undergo redox cycling. This was very effectively inhibited by SOD, and in the presence of both enzymes the hydroquinone was maintained in the reduced form. The inhibitory effect of the enzyme combination was overcome, however, at high concentrations of the quinone, or by small increases in pH. Furthermore, redox cycling was re-established by addition of haemoproteins such as cytochrome c and methaemoglobin. DT-diaphorase and SOD strongly inhibited redox cycling of 2,3-dimethyl- and 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, but not that of 2-hydroxy-, 5-hydroxy- or 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone. Inhibition of redox cycling by a combination of DT-diaphorase and SOD is therefore not applicable to all naphthoquinone derivatives, and when it does occur, it may be overwhelmed at high quinone concentrations, and it may not operate under slightly alkaline conditions or in the presence of tissue components capable of initiating hydroquinone autoxidation.     

Reductive addition of glutathione to p-benzoquinone, 2-hydroxy-p-benzoquinone, and p-benzoquinone epoxides. Effect of the hydroxy- and glutathionyl substituents on p-benzohydroquinone autoxidation

The reductive addition of GSH to p-benzoquinones, 2-hydroxy-p-benzoquinone, and 2,3-epoxy-p-benzoquinones with different degree of methyl substitution was studied in terms of absorption spectral changes and autoxidation reactions. The nucleophilic addition of GSH to p-benzoquinone yields a glutathionyl-p-benzohydroquinone product with maximal absorption at lambda 303nm. This compound autoxidizes slowly--but at a rate 8-fold higher than the parent hydroquinone--to glutathionyl-p-benzoquinone, which reveals maximal absorption at lambda 367 nm. The autoxidation of the glutathionyl derivative is accompanied by O2 consumption and H2O2 formation. The nucleophilic addition of GSH to either 2-hydroxy-p-benzoquinone or 2,3-epoxy-p-benzoquinone yields the same primary molecular product, 2-hydroxy-5-glutathionyl-p-benzohydroquinone, a compound that shows maximal absorption at lambda 300 nm and autoxidizes at rates substantially higher (44-fold) than the parent glutathionyl hydroquinone lacking a -OH substituent. The autoxidation product, 2-hydroxy-5-glutathionyl-p-benzoquinone, reveals maximal absorbance at lambda 343 nm as well as a resolved absorption band at longer wavelengths (lambda 520 nm), the latter contributed by the -OH substituent. The glutathionyl substituent exerted only minor changes in the reduction potential of the quinones, whereas the -OH substituent lowered significantly the half-wave reduction potential, as measured in aqueous solutions. The rate of autoxidation was markedly enhanced by both substituents as follows: hydroxy-glutathionyl-p-benzohydroquinone much greater than hydroxy-p-benzohydroquinone much greater than glutathionyl-p-benzohydroquinone greater than p-benzohydroquinone. Superoxide dismutase enhanced the rate of autoxidation of p-benzohydroquinone and its glutathionyl adduct, whereas it inhibited autoxidation of the hydroxy derivatives with or without glutathionyl substitution. The biochemical significance of these results is discussed in terms of the pro-oxidant character of the reductive addition of GSH to p-benzoquinones, alpha-hydroxyquinones, and quinone epoxides.     

DT-diaphorase-catalyzed two-electron reduction of quinone epoxides

DT-diaphorase catalyzes the two-electron reduction of the unsubstituted quinone epoxide, 2,3-epoxy-p-benzoquinone, at expense of NAD(P)H with formation of 2-OH-p-benzohydroquinone as the reaction product. The further conversion reactions of 2-OH-p-benzohydroquinone are influenced by the presence of O2 in the medium. Under aerobic conditions, 2-OH-p-benzohydroquinone undergoes autoxidation--probably with formation of 2-OH-semiquinone intermediates--to 2-OH-p-benzoquinone. The latter product is rapidly reduced by DT-diaphorase and, thus, its accumulation can be only observed upon exhaustion of NADPH. Under anaerobic conditions, 2-OH-p-benzohydroquinone does not undergo autoxidation and its accumulation is stoichiometrically (1:1) related to the amount of NADPH oxidized and epoxide substrate reduced. DT-diaphorase also catalyzes the reduction of the disubstituted quinone epoxide, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-epoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. Neither the aliphatic epoxide, trans-stilbene oxide, nor the aromatic epoxide, 4,5-epoxy-benzo[a]pyrene are substrates for DT-diaphorase. The reduction of 2,3-epoxy-p-benzoquinone is also catalyzed by the one-electron transfer enzyme, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase at a rate similar to that found with DT-diaphorase. However, this reaction differs from that catalyzed by DT-diaphorase in the distribution of molecular products as well as in the relative contribution of nonenzymatic reactions, i.e. semiquinone disproportionation and autoxidation.     

Effect of butylated hydroxyanisole on the toxicity of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone to rats

It has previously been shown that rats pre-treated with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a well-known inducer of the enzyme DT-diaphorase, are protected against the harmful effects of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. This is consistent with a role for diaphorase in the detoxification of this quinone, but it is not known if increased tissue levels of this enzyme give protection against other naphthoquinone derivatives. In the present study, rats were dosed with BHA and then challenged with a toxic dose of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, a substance that causes haemolytic anaemia and renal damage in vivo. Pre-treatment with BHA had no effect upon the nephrotoxicity of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, but the severity of the haemolysis induced by this compound was increased in the animals given BHA. DT-Diaphorase is known to promote the redox cycling of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone in vitro, with concomitant formation of 'active oxygen' species. The results of the present experiment suggest that activation of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone by DT-diaphorase may also occur in vivo and show that increased tissue levels of DT-diaphorase are not always associated with naphthoquinone detoxification.     

Effect of inducers of DT-diaphorase on the haemolytic activity and nephrotoxicity of 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone in rats

Reduction of naphthoquinones by DT-diaphorase is often described as a detoxification reaction. This is true for some naphthoquinone derivatives, such as alkyl and di-alkyl naphthoquinones, but the situation with other substances, such as 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, is more complex. In the present study, the effect of several substances that are known to increase tissue activities of DT-diaphorase on the toxicity of 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone has been investigated. Like 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, the 2-amino-derivative was found to cause both haemolytic anaemia and renal tubular necrosis in rats. Again like 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, the severity of the haemolysis induced by the 2-amino derivative was increased in animals pre-treated with inducers of DT-diaphorase, but the degree of nephrotoxicity was decreased. With these substances, therefore, DT-diaphorase both activates and detoxifies the quinone, depending on the target organ. It is not possible to generalise with regard to the effects of modulation of tissue levels of DT-diaphorase on naphthoquinone toxicity in vivo, since this may change not only the severity of the toxic effects, but also the target organ specificity. In evaluating the possible therapeutic applications of such compounds, the possibility of toxic effects upon the blood and kidney must be borne in mind. In man, renal damage by compounds such as 2-hydroxy- and 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone may be a particular problem, because of the low level of DT-diaphorase in human liver.     

DT-diaphorase as a quinone reductase: a cellular control device against semiquinone and superoxide radical formation

Rat liver microsomes incubated in the presence of NADPH catalyze the oxidation of menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) by two pathways: NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and DT-diaphorase. The former pathway gives rise to labile semiquinones which are readily autooxidized as revealed by a nonstoichiometric NADPH oxidation and a concomitant O₂ consumption. The reduction of menadione catalyzed by DT-diaphorase on the other hand results in a relatively stable hydroquinone accompanied by a stoichiometric oxidation of NADPH and no O₂ consumption. The total amount of NADPH oxidized by a given amount of menadione reflects the relative contributions of the two pathways which can be demonstrated by the addition of selective inhibitors of the two enzymes or by treatment of the rats with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene which preferentially induces NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and DT-diaphorase, respectively. Addition of cytosol, which contains the bulk of cellular DT-diaphorase, minimizes the formation of semiquinones and the concomitant O₂ consumption. Data relating to other quinones are also presented. The results support the earlier proposal that DT-diaphorase serves as a cellular control device against quinone toxicity.     

Autoxidation of naphthohydroquinones: effects of pH, naphthoquinones and superoxide dismutase

The rates of autoxidation of a number of pure naphthohydroquinones have been determined, and the effects of pH, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and of the parent naphthoquinone on the oxidation rates have been investigated. Most compounds were slowly oxidised in acid solution with the rates increasing with increasing pH, although 2-hydroxy-, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl- and 2-amino-1,4-naphthohydroquinone were rapidly oxidised at pH 5 and the rates of oxidation of these substances were comparatively unresponsive to changes in pH. At pH 7.4, autoxidation rates decreased in the order 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthohydroquinone > 5-hydroxy > 2-bromo > 2-hydroxy-3-methyl > 2-amino > 2-hydroxy > 2-methoxy > 2,3-dimethoxy > 2,3-dimethyl > 2-methyl > unsubstituted hydroquinone. The autoxidation rates of the alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy and amino derivatives were decreased in the presence of SOD, but this enzyme had no effect on the rate of autoxidation of the 2,3-dichloro and 2-bromo derivatives while that of the 5-hydroxy derivative was increased. The rates of autoxidation of all compounds except the halogen derivatives and 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthohydroquinone were increased by addition of the parent naphthoquinone, and quinone addition partially or completely overcame the inhibitory effect of SOD. There is evidence that the reduction of quinones to hydroquinones in vivo may lead either to detoxification or to activation. This may be due to differences in the rate or mechanism of autoxidation of the hydroquinones that are formed, and the data gained in this study will provide a framework for testing this possibility.     

Effect of inducers of DT-diaphorase on the toxicity of 2-methyl- and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone to rats

It has previously been shown that rats pre-treated with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a well-known inducer of the enzyme DT-diaphorase, are protected against the toxic effects of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone but are made more susceptible to the harmful action of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. In the present experiments, the effects of BHA have been compared with those of other inducers of DT-diaphorase. Rats were dosed with BHA, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ethoxyquin (EQ), dimethyl fumarate (DMF) or disulfiram (DIS) and then challenged with a toxic dose of the naphthoquinones. All the inducers protected against the haemolytic anaemia induced by 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone in rats, with BHA, BHT and EQ being somewhat more effective than DMF and DIS. A similar order of activity was recorded in the relative ability of these substances to increase hepatic activities of DT-diaphorase, consistent with a role for this enzyme in facilitating conjugation and excretion of this naphthoquinone. In contrast, all the compounds increased the haemolytic activity of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. DMF and DIS were significantly more effective in this regard than BHA, BHT and EQ. DMF and DIS also caused a much greater increase in levels of DT-diaphorase in the intestine, suggesting that 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone is activated by this enzyme in the gut. BHA, BHT and EQ had no effect on the nephrotoxicity of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, but the severity of the renal lesions was decreased in rats pre-treated with DMF and DIS. The results of the present experiments show that modulation of tissue levels of DT-diaphorase may not only alter the severity of naphthoquinone toxicity in vivo, but may also change the relative toxicity of these substances to different target organs.     

Autoxidation of naphthohydroquinones: Effects of pH,naphthoquinones and superoxide dismutase

The rates of autoxidation of a number of pure naphthohydroquinones have been determined, and the effects of pH, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and of the parent naphthoquinone on the oxidation rates have been investigated. Most compounds were slowly oxidised in acid solution with the rates increasing with increasing pH, although 2-hydroxy-, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl- and 2-amino-1,4-naphthohydroquinone were rapidly oxidised at pH 5 and the rates of oxidation of these substances were comparatively unresponsive to changes in pH. At pH 7.4, autoxidation rates decreased in the order 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthohydroquinone > 5-hydroxy > 2-bromo > 2-hydroxy-3-methyl > 2-amino > 2-hydroxy > 2-methoxy > 2,3-dimethoxy > 2,3-dimethyl > 2-methyl > unsubstituted hydroquinone. The autoxidation rates of the alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy and amino derivatives were decreased in the presence of SOD, but this enzyme had no effect on the rate of autoxidation of the 2,3-dichloro and 2-bromo derivatives while that of the 5-hydroxy derivative was increased. The rates of autoxidation of all compounds except the halogen derivatives and 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthohydroquinone were increased by addition of the parent naphthoquinone, and quinone addition partially or completely overcame the inhibitory effect of SOD. There is evidence that the reduction of quinones to hydroquinones in vivo may lead either to detoxification or to activation. This may be due to differences in the rate or mechanism of autoxidation of the hydroquinones that are formed, and the data gained in this study will provide a framework for testing this possibility.     

Effect of superoxide dismutase on the autoxidation of various hydroquinones--a possible role of superoxide dismutase as a superoxide:semiquinone oxidoreductase

The autoxidation of DT-diaphorase-reduced 1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-OH-1,4-naphthoquinone, and 2-OH-p-benzoquinone is efficiently prevented by superoxide dismutase. This effect was assessed in terms of an inhibition of NADPH oxidation (over the amount required to reduce the available quinone), O2 consumption, and H2O2 formation. Superoxide dismutase also affects the distribution of molecular products -hydroquinone/quinone-involved in autoxidation, by favoring the accumulation of the reduced form of the above quinones. In contrast, the rate of autoxidation of DT-diaphorase-reduced 1,2-naphthoquinone is enhanced by superoxide dismutase, as shown by increased rates of NADPH oxidation, O2 consumption, and H2O2 formation and by an enhanced accumulation of the oxidized product, 1,2-naphthoquinone. These findings suggest that superoxide dismutase can either prevent or enhance hydroquinone autoxidation. The former process would imply a possible new activity displayed by superoxide dismutase involving the reduction of a semiquinone by O2-.. This activity is probably restricted to the redox properties of the semiquinones under study, as indicated by the failure of superoxide dismutase to prevent autoxidation of 1,2-naphthohydroquinone.     

Chemical structures critical for the induction of FMN-dependent NADH-quinone reductase in Escherichia coli.

An FMN-dependent NADH-quinone reductase is induced in Escherichia coli by growing the cells in the presence of menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone). Since the properties of induced enzyme are very similar to those of NAD(P)H: (quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.99.2), known as DT-diaphorase, from animal cells, structural requirements of quinone derivatives as an inducer of NADH-quinone reductase in E. coli were examined. Among quinone derivatives examined, it was found that 2-alkyl-1,4-quinone structure with C-3 unsubstituted or substituted with Br is critical as a common inductive signal. Michael reaction acceptors which have been reported to be strong inducers of DT-diaphorase in mouse hepatoma cells were not always effective inducers in E. coli. However, several compounds, such as 2-methylene-4-butyrolactone, methylacrylate and methyl vinyl ketone, showed a slight inductive activity. The efficient inducers of NADH-quinone reductase in E. coli contain 1,4-quinone structure as a part of the inductive signal. These compounds belong to Michael acceptors and are likely to conjugate with thiol compounds such as glutathione.     

Effect of hydroxy substituent position on 1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity to rat hepatocytes.

The effect of hydroxy substitution on 1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity to cultured rat hepatocytes was studied. Toxicity of the quinones decreased in the series 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, and intracellular GSSG formation decreased in the order 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone much greater than 1,4-naphthoquinone much greater than 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. The electrophilicity of the quinones decreased in the order 1,4-naphthoquinone much greater than 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone much greater than 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. Treatment of the hepatocytes with BSO (buthionine sulfoximine) or BCNU (1,3-bis-2-chloroethyl-1-nitrosourea) increased 5-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone and 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity, whereas neither BSO nor BCNU largely affected 1,4-naphthoquinone and 2-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone toxicity. Dicumarol increased the toxicity of 1,4-naphthoquinone dramatically and somewhat the toxicity of 2-hydroxy-1,4- naphthoquinone, whereas 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity increased only slightly. The toxicity of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone decreased dramatically in reduced O2 concentration, whereas 1,4-naphthoquinone, 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity was not largely affected. It was concluded that 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity is due to free radical formation, whereas the toxicity of 1,4-naphthoquinone and of 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone also has an electrophilic addition component. The toxicity of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone could not be fully explained by either of these phenomena.     

Effects of modulation of tissue activities of DT-diaphorase on the toxicity of 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone to rats

The enzyme DT-diaphorase mediates the two-electron reduction of quinones to hydroquinones. It has previously been shown that the toxicity of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone to rats is decreased by pre-treatment of the animals with compounds that increase tissue levels of this enzyme. In contrast, the severity of the haemolytic anaemia induced in rats by 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone was increased in animals with high levels of DT-diaphorase. In the present experiments, the effect of alterations in tissue diaphorase activities on the toxicity of a third naphthoquinone derivative, 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, has been investigated. This compound induced severe haemolysis and slight renal tubular necrosis in control rats. Pre-treatment of the animals with BHA, a potent inducer of DT-diaphorase, diminished the severity of the haemolysis induced by this compound and abolished its nephrotoxicity. Pre-treatment with dicoumarol, an inhibitor of this enzyme, caused only a slight increase in the haemolysis induced by 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, but provoked a massive increase in its nephrotoxicity. Modulation of DT-diaphorase activity in animals may therefore not only alter the severity of naphthoquinone toxicity, but also cause pronounced changes in the site of toxic action of these substances. The factors that may control whether induction of DT-diaphorase in animals will decrease or increase naphthoquinone toxicity are discussed.     

Quinone induced stimulation of hexose monophosphate shunt activity in the guinea pig lens: role of zeta-crystallin.

The response of the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS) in organ-cultured guinea pig lens to 1,2-naphthoquinone and 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (juglone) has been investigated. Both these compounds, which are substrates of guinea pig lens zeta-crystallin (NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase), were found to cause increases in the rate of 14CO2 production from 1-14C-labelled glucose. Exposure of lenses to 15 microM 1,2-naphthoquinone or 20 microM juglone yielded 5.9- and 7-fold stimulation of HMS activity, respectively. Unlike hydrogen peroxide-induced stimulation of HMS activity, these effects were not abolished by preincubation with the glutathione reductase inhibitor, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1 nitrosourea (BCNU). While hydrogen peroxide produced substantial decrements in lens glutathione (GSH) levels, incubation with quinones was not associated with a similar reduction in GSH concentration. Protein-bound NADPH content in quinone-exposed guinea pig lenses was decreased, with a concomitant increase in the amounts of free NADP+. This finding supported the involvement of zeta-crystallin bound NADPH in the in vivo enzymic reduction of quinones. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, caused decreases in the level of free NADPH alone, serving to confirm our earlier inference that quinone stimulated increases in the guinea pig lens HMS could be mediated through zeta-crystallin NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase activity.     

Insecticidal activities of a Diospyros kaki root-isolated constituent and its derivatives against Nilaparvata lugens and Laodelphax striatellus

Diospyros kaki root-derived materials were examined for insecticidal properties against Nilaparvata lugens and Laodelphax striatellus. Based on the LD₅₀ values, the chloroform fraction of D. kaki extracts showed the most activity against N. lugens (3.78 μg/female) and L. striatellus (7.32 μg/female). The active constituent of the chloroform fraction was isolated by various chromatographic methods and was identified as 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone by spectroscopic analyses. To establish the structure–activity relationships, the insecticidal effects of 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives against N. lugens and L. striatellus were determined using micro-topical application bioassays. On the basis of LD₅₀ values, 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone was the most effective against N. lugens (0.072 μg/female) and L. striatellus (0.183 μg/female). 2-Bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, and 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone also had potent insecticidal activities against N. lugens and L. striatellus. In contrast, no insecticidal activity was observed with 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone or 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. These results indicate that the functional group (bromo- and hydroxyl-) at the C-2 position of the 1,4-naphthoquinone skeleton and the change in position of the hydroxyl group play important roles in insecticidal activity. Therefore, naturally occurring D. kaki root-derived 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives may be suitable as insecticides.     

Hepatic low-level chemiluminescence during redox cycling of menadione and the menadione-glutathione conjugate: relation to glutathione and NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (DT-diaphorase) activity

Formation of excited species such as singlet molecular oxygen during redox cycling (one-electron reduction-oxidation) was detected by low-level chemiluminescence emitted from perfused rat liver and isolated hepatocytes supplemented with the quinone, menadione (vitamin K3). Chemiluminescence was augmented when the two-electron reduction of the quinone catalyzed by NAD(P)H:quinone reductase was inhibited by dicoumarol, thus underlining the protective function of this enzyme also known as DT-diaphorase. Interference with NADPH supply by inhibition of energy-linked transhydrogenase by rhein or of mitochondrial electron transfer by antimycin A led to a depression in the level of photoemission. Unexpectedly, glutathione depletion of the liver led to a lowering of chemiluminescence elicited by menadione, whereas conversely the depletion of glutathione led to increased chemiluminescence levels when a hydroperoxide was added instead of the quinone. As the GSH conjugate of menadione, 2-methyl-3-glutathionyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, studied with microsomes, was shown also to be capable of redox cycling, we conclude that menadione-induced chemiluminescence of the perfused rat liver does not only arise from menadione itself but from the menadione-GSH conjugate as well. Therefore, the conjugation of the quinone with glutathione is not in itself of protective nature and does not abolish semiquinone formation. A biologically useful aspect of conjugate formation resides in the facilitation of biliary elimination from the liver. Nonenzymatic formation of the conjugate from menadione and GSH in vitro was found to be accompanied by the formation of aggressive oxygen species.     

Menaquinone-6 and thermoplasmaquinone-6 in Wolinella succinogenes

Abstract The respiratory quinone composition of Wolinella succinogenes was investigated. Unsaturated menaquinones with six isoprene units (2-methyl-3-hexaprenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) was found to be the major isoprenoid quinone. Substantial levels of a methyl-substituted menaquinone was also present. Mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry indicated the methyl-substituted quinone corresponded to 2-, [5 or 8]- dimethyl-3-hexaprenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone.