Mitochondrial complex II in the post-ischemic heart: oxidative injury and the role of protein S-glutathionylation

Mitochondrial superoxide (O2.) is an important mediator of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The O2. generated in mitochondria also acts as a redox signal triggering cellular apoptosis. The enzyme succinate ubiquinone reductase (SQR or complex II) is one of the major mitochondrial components hosting regulatory thiols. Here the intrinsic protein S-glutathionylation (PrSSG) at the 70-kDa FAD-binding subunit of SQR was detected in rat heart and in isolated SQR using an anti-GSH monoclonal antibody. When rats were subjected to 30 min of coronary ligation followed by 24 h of reperfusion, the electron transfer activity (ETA) of SQR in post-ischemic myocardium was significantly decreased by 41.5 +/- 2.9%. The PrSSGs of SQR-70 kDa were partially or completely eliminated in post-ischemic myocardium obtained from in vivo regional I/R hearts or isolated global I/R hearts, respectively. These results were further confirmed by using isolated succinate cytochrome c reductase (complex II + complex III). In the presence of succinate, O2. was generated and oxidized the SQR portion of SCR, leading to a 60-70% decrease in its ETA. The gel band of the S-glutathionylated SQR 70-kDa polypeptide was cut out and digested with trypsin, and the digests were subjected to liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis. One cysteine residue, Cys(90), was involved in S-glutathionylation. These results indicate that the glutathione-binding domain, (77)AAFGLSEAGFNTACVTK(93) (where underline indicates Cys(90)), is susceptible to redox change induced by oxidative stress. Furthermore, in vitro S-glutathionylation of purified SQR resulted in enhanced SQR-derived electron transfer efficiency and decreased formation of the 70-kDa-derived protein thiyl radical induced by O2. . Thus, the decreasing S-glutathionylation and ETA in mitochondrial complex II are marked during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. This redox-triggered impairment of complex II occurs in the post-ischemic heart and should be useful to identify disease pathogenesis related to reactive oxygen species-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.     

Protein thiyl radical mediates S-glutathionylation of complex I

Complex I is a critical site of O(2)(?-) production and the major host of reactive protein thiols in mitochondria. In response to oxidative stress, complex I protein thiols at the 51- and 75-kDa subunits are reversibly S-glutathionylated. The mechanism of complex I S-glutathionylation is mainly obtained from insight into GSSG-mediated thiol-disulfide exchange, which would require a dramatic decline in the GSH/GSSG ratio. Intrinsic complex I S-glutathionylation can be detected in the rat heart at a relatively high GSH/GSSG ratio (J. Chen et al., J. Biol. Chem. 285:3168-3180, 2010). Thus, we hypothesized that reactive thiyl radical is more likely to mediate protein S-glutathionylation of complex I. Here we employed immuno-spin trapping and tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) to test the hypothesis in the 75-kDa subunit from S-glutathionylated complex I. Under the conditions of O(2)(?-) production in the presence of GSH, we detected complex I S-glutathionylation at Cys-226, Cys-367, and Cys-727 of the 75-kDa subunit. Addition of a radical trap, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), significantly decreased complex I S-glutathionylation and subsequently increased the protein radical adduct of complex I-DMPO as detected by immunoblotting using an anti-DMPO antibody. LC/MS/MS analysis indicated that Cys-226, Cys-554, and Cys-727 were involved in DMPO binding, confirming that formation of the complex I thiyl radical mediates S-glutathionylation. LC/MS/MS analysis also showed that Cys-554 and Cys-727 were S-sulfonated under conditions of O(2)(?-) generation in the absence of DMPO. In myocytes (HL-1 cell line) treated with menadione to trigger mitochondrial O(2)(?-) generation, complex I protein radical and S-glutathionylation were increased. Thus mediation of complex I S-glutathionylation by the protein thiyl radical provides a unique pathway for the redox regulation of mitochondrial function.     

Crystal structure of peroxynitrite-modified bovine Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase.

The crystal structure of bovine Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase modified with peroxynitrite (ONOO-) was determined by X-ray diffraction, utilizing the existing three-dimensional model of the native structure deposited in the Brookhaven Protein Data Bank (J. A. Tainer et al., J. Mol. Biol. 160, 181-217, 1982). The native structure and the modified derivative were refined to R factors of 19.0 and 18.7% respectively using diffraction data from 6.0 to 2.5 A. The major result after reaction with peroxynitrite was the appearance of electron density 1.45 A from a single epsilon carbon of Tyr-108, the only tyrosine residue in the sequence. Tyr-108 is a solvent-exposed residue 18 A from the copper atom in the active site. The electron density was consistent with nitration of Tyr-108 at one of the epsilon carbons to form 3-nitrotyrosine. We propose that the nitration occurs in solution by transfer of a nitronium-like species from the active site on one superoxide dismutase dimer to the Tyr-108 of a second dimer.     

Glutathionylation of the iron superoxide dismutase from the psychrophilic eubacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis

Our previous work showed that the adduct between beta-mercaptoethanol and the single cysteine residue (Cys57) in superoxide dismutase from the psychrophilic eubacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis (PhSOD) reduces the enzyme inactivation by peroxynitrite. In this work, immunoblotting experiments prove that peroxynitrite inactivation of PhSOD involves formation of nitrotyrosine residue(s). In order to study the role of Cys57 as a redox-sensor residue modifiable by cellular thiols, a recombinant PhSOD and two Cys57 mutants were produced and characterized. Recombinant and mutant enzymes share similar activity and peroxynitrite inactivation, but different reactivity towards three glutathione forms. Indeed, oxidized glutathione and S-nitrosoglutathione, but reduced glutathione, lead to S-glutathionylation of recombinant PhSOD. This new covalent modification for a Fe-SOD does not occur in both Cys57 mutants, thus indicating that its target is Cys57. Moreover, mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that S-glutathionylation of Cys57 takes place also with endogenous PhSOD. Formation of this mixed disulfide in PhSOD protects the enzyme from tyrosine nitration and peroxynitrite inactivation. PhSOD undergoes S-glutathionylation during its overproduction in E. coli cells and in a growing culture of P. haloplanktis. In both cases the extent of glutathionylated PhSOD is enhanced upon cell exposure to oxidative agents. We suggest that S-glutathionylation of PhSOD could represent a further cold-adaptation strategy to improve the antioxidant cellular defence mechanism.     

Peptide-based Antibodies against Glutathione-binding Domains Suppress Superoxide Production Mediated by Mitochondrial Complex I

Complex I (NQR) is a critical site of superoxide () production and the major host of redox protein thiols in mitochondria. In response to oxidative stress, NQR-derived protein thiols at the 51- and 75-kDa subunits are known to be reversibly S-glutathionylated. Although several glutathionylated domains from NQR 51 and 75 kDa have been identified, their roles in the regulatory functions remain to be explored. To gain further insights into protein S-glutathionylation of complex I, we used two peptides of S-glutathionylated domain (²⁰⁰GAGAYICGEETALIESIEGK²¹⁹ of 51-kDa protein and ³⁶¹VDSDTLCTEEVFPTAGAGTDLR³⁸² of 75-kDa protein) as chimeric epitopes incorporating a “promiscuous” T-cell epitope to generate two polyclonal antibodies, AbGSCA206 and AbGSCB367. Binding of AbGSCA206 and AbGSCB367 inhibited NQR-mediated generation by 37 and 57%, as measured by EPR spin-trapping. To further provide an appropriate control, two peptides of non-glutathionylated domain (²¹SGDTTAPKKTSFGSLKDFDR⁴⁰ of 51-kDa peptide and ¹⁰⁰WNILTNSEKTKKAREGVMEFL¹²⁰ of 75-kDa peptide) were synthesized as chimeric epitopes to generate two polyclonal antibodies, Ab51 and Ab75. Binding of A51 did not affect NQR-mediated generation to a significant level. However, binding of Ab75 inhibited NQR-mediated generation by 35%. None of AbGSCA206, AbGSCB367, Ab51, or Ab75 showed an inhibitory effect on the electron transfer activity of NQR, suggesting that antibody binding to the glutathione-binding domain decreased electron leakage from the hydrophilic domain of NQR. When heart tissue homogenates were immunoprecipitated with Ab51 or Ab75 and probed with an antibody against glutathione, protein S-glutathionylation was enhanced in post-ischemic myocardium at the NQR 51-kDa subunit, but not at the 75-kDa subunit, indicating that the 51-kDa subunit of flavin subcomplex is more sensitive to oxidative stress resulting from myocardial infarction.     

Nitration of solvent-exposed tyrosine 74 on cytochrome c triggers heme iron-methionine 80 bond disruption. Nuclear magnetic resonance and optical spectroscopy studies

Cytochrome c, a mitochondrial electron transfer protein containing a hexacoordinated heme, is involved in other physiologically relevant events, such as the triggering of apoptosis, and the activation of a peroxidatic activity. The latter occurs secondary to interactions with cardiolipin and/or post-translational modifications, including tyrosine nitration by peroxynitrite and other nitric oxide-derived oxidants. The gain of peroxidatic activity in nitrated cytochrome c has been related to a heme site transition in the physiological pH region, which normally occurs at alkaline pH in the native protein. Herein, we report a spectroscopic characterization of two nitrated variants of horse heart cytochrome c by using optical spectroscopy studies and NMR. Highly pure nitrated cytochrome c species modified at solvent-exposed Tyr-74 or Tyr-97 were generated after treatment with a flux of peroxynitrite, separated, purified by preparative high pressure liquid chromatography, and characterized by mass spectrometry-based peptide mapping. It is shown that nitration of Tyr-74 elicits an early alkaline transition with a pKa = 7.2, resulting in the displacement of the sixth and axial iron ligand Met-80 and replacement by a weaker Lys ligand to yield an alternative low spin conformation. Based on the study of site-specific Tyr to Phe mutants in the four conserved Tyr residues, we also show that this transition is not due to deprotonation of nitro-Tyr-74, but instead we propose a destabilizing steric effect of the nitro group in the mobile Omega-loop of cytochrome c, which is transmitted to the iron center via the nearby Tyr-67. The key role of Tyr-67 in promoting the transition through interactions with Met-80 was further substantiated in the Y67F mutant. These results therefore provide new insights into how a remote post-translational modification in cytochrome c such as tyrosine nitration triggers profound structural changes in the heme ligation and microenvironment and impacts in protein function.     

Increased mitochondrial prooxidant activity mediates up-regulation of Complex I S-glutathionylation via protein thiyl radical in the murine heart of eNOS−/−

In response to oxidative stress, mitochondrial Complex I is reversibly S-glutathionylated. We hypothesized that protein S-glutathionylation (PrSSG) of Complex I is mediated by a kinetic mechanism involving reactive protein thiyl radical (PrS^•) and GSH in vivo. Previous studies have shown that in vitro S-glutathionylation of isolated Complex I at the 51 and 75-kDa subunits was detected under the conditions of ^•O₂⁻ production, and mass spectrometry confirmed that formation of Complex I PrS^• mediates PrSSG. Exposure of myocytes to menadione resulted in enhanced Complex I PrSSG and PrS^• (Kang et al., Free Radical Biol. Med. 52:962–973; 2012). In this investigation, we tested our hypothesis in the murine heart of eNOS^−/−. The eNOS^−/− mouse is known to be hypertensive and develops the pathological phenotype of progressive cardiac hypertrophy. The mitochondria isolated from the eNOS^−/− myocardium exhibited a marked dysfunction with impaired state 3 respiration, a declining respiratory control index, and decreasing enzymatic activities of ETC components. Further biochemical analysis and EPR measurement indicated defective aconitase activity, a marked increase in ^•O₂⁻ generation activity, and a more oxidized physiological setting. These results suggest increasing prooxidant activity and subsequent oxidative stress in the mitochondria of the eNOS^−/− murine heart. When Complex I from the mitochondria of the eNOS^−/− murine heart was analyzed by immunospin trapping and probed with anti-GSH antibody, both PrS^• and PrSSG of Complex I were significantly enhanced. Overexpression of SOD2 in the murine heart dramatically diminished the detected PrS^•, supporting the conclusion that mediation of Complex I PrSSG by oxidative stress-induced PrS^• is a unique pathway for the redox regulation of mitochondrial function in vivo.     

Oxidative damage to mitochondrial complex I due to peroxynitrite: identification of reactive tyrosines by mass spectrometry

There is growing evidence that oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species within mitochondria as unwanted byproducts that can damage OXPHOS enzymes with subsequent enhancement of free radical production. The accumulation of this oxidative damage to mitochondria in brain is thought to lead to neuronal cell death resulting in neurodegeneration. The predominant reactive nitrogen species in mitochondria are nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. Here we show that peroxynitrite reacts with mitochondrial membranes from bovine heart to significantly inhibit the activities of complexes I, II, and V (50-80%) but with less effect upon complex IV and no significant inhibition of complex III. Because inhibition of complex I activity has been a reported feature of Parkinson's disease, we undertook a detailed analysis of peroxynitrite-induced modifications to proteins from an enriched complex I preparation. Immunological and mass spectrometric approaches coupled with two-dimensional PAGE have been used to show that peroxynitrite modification resulting in a 3-nitrotyrosine signature is predominantly associated with the complex I subunits, 49-kDa subunit (NDUFS2), TYKY (NDUFS8), B17.2 (17.2-kDa differentiation associated protein), B15 (NDUFB4), and B14 (NDUFA6). Nitration sites and estimates of modification yields were deduced from MS/MS fragmentograms and extracted ion chromatograms, respectively, for the last three of these subunits as well as for two co-purifying proteins, the beta and the d subunits of the F1F0-ATP synthase. Subunits B15 (NDUFB4) and B14 (NDUFA6) contained the highest degree of nitration. The most reactive site in subunit B14 was Tyr122, while the most reactive region in B15 contained 3 closely spaced tyrosines Tyr46, Tyr50, and Tyr51. In addition, a site of oxidation of tryptophan was detected in subunit B17.2 adding to the number of post-translationally modified tryptophans we have detected in complex I subunits (Taylor, S. W., Fahy, E., Murray, J., Capaldi, R. A., and Ghosh, S. S. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 19587-19590). These sites of oxidation and nitration may be useful biomarkers for assessing oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disorders.     

Inactivation and nitration of human superoxide dismutase (SOD) by fluxes of nitric oxide and superoxide

Human recombinant MnSOD and CuZnSOD were both inactivated when exposed to simultaneous fluxes of superoxide (JO(2)(*-)) and nitric oxide (J*NO). The inactivation was also observed with varying J*NO/JO(2)(*-) ratios. Protein-derived radicals were detected in both CuZn and MnSOD by immuno-spin trapping. The formation of protein radicals was followed by tyrosine nitration in the case of MnSOD. When MnSOD was exposed to J*NO and JO(2)(*-) in the presence of uric acid, a scavenger of peroxynitrite-derived free radicals, nitration was decreased but inactivation was not prevented. On the other hand, glutathione, known to react with both peroxynitrite and nitrogen dioxide, totally protected MnSOD from inactivation and nitration on addition of authentic peroxynitrite but, notably, it was only partially inhibitory in the presence of the more biologically relevant J*NO and JO(2)(*-). The data are consistent with the direct reaction of peroxynitrite with the Mn center and a metal-catalyzed nitration of Tyr-34 in MnSOD. In this context, we propose that inactivation is also occurring through a *NO-dependent nitration mechanism. Our results help to rationalize MnSOD tyrosine nitration observed in inflammatory conditions in vivo in the presence of low molecular weight scavengers such as glutathione that otherwise would completely consume nitrogen dioxide and prevent nitration reactions.     

Cardio-protective determinants are conserved in aged human myocardium after ischemic preconditioning

Ischemic preconditioning (IPrec) improves post-ischemic dysfunctions of the myocardium along with activation of protein kinase C isozymes including PKCdelta. Moreover, expression of cardio-protective determinants can reduce ischemic damages. Because IPrec is limited in aged hearts, we assessed in an experimental model the impact of aging on PKCdelta and selected protective proteins in the preconditioned myocardium from adult (< or =55) and older (> or =70 years) humans. Adult myocardium showed PKCdelta up-regulation after IPrec along with improved post-ischemic contractility. Although there was no functional benefit, PKCdelta increased in older myocardium as well. Subsequent mRNA analyses demonstrated that IPrec stabilizes the mRNA expression of protective proteins (Hsp70, Bcl-2/-xL, IAPs) in both aging groups. Moreover, older hearts revealed increase in post-ischemic Hsp90beta. Our study indicates, that IPrec conserves the expression of cardio-protective determinants in aged hearts despite limited functional recovery.     

Peroxynitrite-mediated oxidative modifications of myosin and implications on structure and function

Abstract

The peroxynitrite-induced functional impairment of myosin was studied in different reaction conditions, known to alter the oxidative chemistry of peroxynitrite, to better understand the molecular mechanisms of this interaction. It is shown that peroxynitrite is able to enhance the basal MgATPase activity up to 2-fold while inhibiting the actin-stimulated ATPase activity of myosin and that the extent of these functional alterations is dependent on the reaction medium. The observed changes in the stimulation of the MgATPase activity correlate with the extent of carbonyl formation in myosin. The enzyme inhibition is more potent in conditions where the efficiency of tyrosine nitration and peroxynitrite reactivity towards sulphydryls are lower. Together with the observation that reversion of sulphydryl oxidation did not lead to the recovery of myosin functional and structural impairments, these results point out to the importance of protein carbonylation as a post-translational modification in the peroxynitrite-induced myosin functional impairment.     

Nitration and inactivation of tyrosine hydroxylase by peroxynitrite

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is modified by nitration after exposure of mice to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophenylpyridine. The temporal association of tyrosine nitration with inactivation of TH activity in vitro suggests that this covalent post-translational modification is responsible for the in vivo loss of TH function (Ara, J., Przedborski, S., Naini, A. B., Jackson-Lewis, V., Trifiletti, R. R., Horwitz, J., and Ischiropoulos, H. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 95, 7659-7663). Recent data showed that cysteine oxidation rather than tyrosine nitration is responsible for TH inactivation after peroxynitrite exposure in vitro (Kuhn, D. M., Aretha, C. W., and Geddes, T. J. (1999) J. Neurosci. 19, 10289-10294). However, re-examination of the reaction of peroxynitrite with purified TH failed to produce cysteine oxidation but resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in tyrosine nitration and inactivation. Cysteine oxidation is only observed after partial unfolding of the protein. Tyrosine residue 423 and to lesser extent tyrosine residues 428 and 432 are modified by nitration. Mutation of Tyr(423) to Phe resulted in decreased nitration as compared with wild type protein without loss of activity. Stopped-flow experiments reveal a second order rate constant of (3.8 +/- 0.9) x 10(3) m(-1) s(-1) at pH 7.4 and 25 degrees C for the reaction of peroxynitrite with TH. Collectively, the data indicate that peroxynitrite reacts with the metal center of the protein and results primarily in the nitration of tyrosine residue 423, which is responsible for the inactivation of TH.     

Tyrosine nitration on p65: a novel mechanism to rapidly inactivate nuclear factor-kappaB

NO is an important factor that induces post-translational modifications of proteins by cellular reduction and oxidation mechanism: cysteinyl-nitrosylation or Tyr nitration. Nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activity can be rapidly suppressed by sodium nitroprusside, a NO donor. This effect was effectively reversed by peroxynitrite scavenger deferoxamine, suggesting a Tyr nitration-mediated mechanism. Western blot with nitrotyrosine-specific antibody demonstrated that the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB was predominantly nitrated on Tyr residues. Tyr nitration of p65 induced its dissociation from p50, its association with IkappaBalpha, and subsequent sequestration of p65 in the cytoplasm by IkappaBalpha-mediated export. Liquid chromatography-coupled nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry revealed specific nitration on Tyr-66 and Tyr-152 residues of p65. Mutation studies confirmed that both Tyr-66 and Tyr-152 residues were important for the direct effects of NO on p65, which resulted in more p65 export and inactivation of NF-kappaB activity. This study identified a novel and efficient pathway where NO rapidly inactivated NF-kappaB activity by inducing Tyr nitration on p65.     

Mass spectrometric identification of tryptophan nitration sites on proteins in peroxynitrite-treated lysates from PC12 cells

One of the important sites of peroxynitrite action that affects cellular function is known to be nitration of tyrosine residues. However, tryptophan residues could be another target of peroxynitrite-dependent modification of protein function, as we have shown previously using a model protein (F. Yamakura et al., J. Biochem. 138:57-69; 2005). Here, we report the identification of several proteins that allowed us to determine the position of nitrotryptophan in their amino acid sequences in a more complex system. We modified lysates from PC12 cells with and without nerve growth factor (NGF) by treatment with peroxynitrite (0.98 or 4.9 mM). Western blot analyses using anti-6-nitrotryptophan antibody showed several immunoreactive bands and spots, which were subsequently subjected to trypsin digestion and LC-ESI-MS-MS analysis. We identified several tryptic peptides including nitrotryptophan residues, which were derived from L-lactate dehydrogenase A, malate dehydrogenase 1, M2 pyruvate kinase, and heat-shock protein 90 α, in peroxynitrite-treated lysates from PC12 cells, and l-lactate dehydrogenase A, malate dehydrogenase 1, transaldorase, and lactoylglutathione lyase, in peroxynitrite-treated lysates from NGF/PC12 cells. The molar ratio of 3-nitrotyrosine to 6-nitrotryptophan in protease-digested PC12 cell lysates treated with peroxynitrite was determined to be 5.8 to 1 by using an HPLC-CoulArray system. This is the first report to identify several specific sites of nitrated tryptophan on proteins in a complex system treated with peroxynitrite and to compare the susceptibility of nitration between tryptophan and tyrosine residues of the proteins.     

Peroxynitrite-Induced Tyrosine Nitration Contributes to Matrix Metalloprotease-3 Activation: Relevance to Hyperglycemic Ischemic Brain Injury and Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Matrix metalloprotease-3 (MMP3) activation mediates the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)-induced hemorrhagic transformation after stroke. Hyperglycemia (HG) further exacerbates this outcome. We have recently shown that HG increases MMP3 activity in the brain after stroke. However, the combined HG-tPA effect on MMP3 activation, and the mechanisms through which MMP3 is activated were not previously reported. Accordingly, this study tested the hypothesis that tPA and HG increases MMP3 activity in the brain after stroke through peroxynitrite induced tyrosine nitration. Normoglycemic and mildly hyperglycemic male Wistar rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery suture occlusion for 90 min or thromboembolic occlusion, and up to 24 h reperfusion, with and without tPA. MMP3 activity and tyrosine nitration were evaluated in brain homogenates at 24 h. Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC) were subjected to either 3 h hypoxia or 6 h OGD under either normal or high glucose conditions with or without tPA, with or without peroxynitrite scavenger, FeTPPs. MMP3 activity and MMP3 tyrosine nitration were assessed at 24 h. HG and tPA significantly increased activity and tyrosine nitration of MMP3 in the brain. In BMVECs, tPA but not HG increased MMP3 activity. Treating BMVEC with FeTPPs significantly reduced the tPA-induced increase in MMP3 activity and nitration. Augmented oxidative and nitrative stress may be potential mechanisms contributing to MMP3 activation in hyperglycemic stroke, especially with tPA administration. Peroxynitrite may be playing a critical role in mediating MMP3 activation through tyrosine nitration in hyperglycemic stroke.     

Inhibition of peroxisomal hydroxypyruvate reductase (HPR1) by tyrosine nitration

Background

Protein tyrosine nitration is a post-translational modification (PTM) mediated by nitric oxide-derived molecules. Peroxisomes are oxidative organelles in which the presence of nitric oxide (NO) has been reported.

Methods

We studied peroxisomal nitroproteome of pea leaves by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and proteomic approaches.

Results

Proteomic analysis of peroxisomes from pea leaves detected a total of four nitro-tyrosine immunopositive proteins by using an antibody against nitrotyrosine. One of these proteins was found to be the NADH-dependent hydroxypyruvate reductase (HPR). The in vitro nitration of peroxisomal samples caused a 65% inhibition of HPR activity. Analysis of recombinant peroxisomal NADH-dependent HPR1 activity from Arabidopsis in the presence of H₂O₂, NO, GSH and peroxynitrite showed that the ONOO⁻ molecule caused the highest inhibition of activity (51% at 5 mM SIN-1), with 5 mM H₂O₂ having no inhibitory effect. Mass spectrometric analysis of the nitrated recombinant HPR1 enabled us to determine that, among the eleven tyrosine present in this enzyme, only Tyr-97, Tyr-108 and Tyr-198 were exclusively nitrated to 3-nitrotyrosine by peroxynitrite. Site-directed mutagenesis confirmed Tyr198 as the primary site of nitration responsible for the inhibition on the enzymatic activity by peroxynitrite.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that peroxisomal HPR is a target of peroxynitrite which provokes a loss of function.

General significance

This is the first report demonstrating the peroxisomal NADH-dependent HPR activity involved in the photorespiration pathway is regulated by tyrosine nitration, indicating that peroxisomal NO metabolism may contribute to the regulation of physiological processes under no-stress conditions.     

Alpha-synuclein overexpression and aggregation exacerbates impairment of mitochondrial functions by augmenting oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma cells

Overexpression of alpha-synuclein and oxidative stress has been implicated in the neuronal cell death in Parkinson's disease. Alpha-synuclein associates with mitochondria and excessive accumulation of alpha-synuclein causes impairment of mitochondrial functions. However, the mechanism of mitochondrial impairment caused by alpha-synuclein is not fully understood. We recently reported that alpha-synuclein associates with mitochondria and that overexpression of alpha-synuclein causes nitration of mitochondrial proteins and release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria [Parihar M.S., Parihar A., Fujita M., Hashimoto M., Ghafourifar P. Mitochondrial association of alpha-synuclein causes oxidative stress. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2008a;65:1272–1284]. The present study shows that overexpression of alpha-synuclein A53T or A30P mutants or wild-type in human neuroblastoma cells augmented aggregation of alpha-synuclein. Immunoblotting and immuno-gold electron transmission microscopy show localization of alpha-synuclein aggregates within the mitochondria of overexpressing cells. Overexpressing cells show increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, increased protein tyrosine nitration, decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and hampered cellular respiration. These findings suggest an important role for mitochondria in cellular responses to alpha-synuclein.     

Peroxynitrite oxidizes erythrocyte membrane band 3 protein and diminishes its anion transport capacity

We describe an altered membrane band 3 protein-mediated anion transport in erythrocytes exposed to peroxynitrite, and relate the loss of anion transport to cell damage and to band 3 oxidative modifications. We found that peroxynitrite down-regulate anion transport in a dose dependent relation (100-300 μmoles/l). Hemoglobin oxidation was found at all peroxynitrite concentrations studied. A dose-dependent band 3 protein crosslinking and tyrosine nitration were also observed. Band 3 protein modifications were concomitant with a decrease in transport activity. ( - )-Epicatechin avoids band 3 protein nitration but barely affects its transport capacity, suggesting that both processes are unrelated. N-acetyl cysteine partially reverted the loss of band 3 transport capacity. It is concluded that peroxynitrite promotes a decrease in anion transport that is partially due to the reversible oxidation of band 3 cysteine residues. Additionally, band 3 tyrosine nitration seems not to be relevant for the loss of its anion transport capacity.     

Peroxynitrite oxidizes erythrocyte membrane band 3 protein and diminishes its anion transport capacity

We describe an altered membrane band 3 protein-mediated anion transport in erythrocytes exposed to peroxynitrite, and relate the loss of anion transport to cell damage and to band 3 oxidative modifications. We found that peroxynitrite down-regulate anion transport in a dose dependent relation (100–300 μmoles/l). Hemoglobin oxidation was found at all peroxynitrite concentrations studied. A dose-dependent band 3 protein crosslinking and tyrosine nitration were also observed. Band 3 protein modifications were concomitant with a decrease in transport activity. ( ? )-Epicatechin avoids band 3 protein nitration but barely affects its transport capacity, suggesting that both processes are unrelated. N-acetyl cysteine partially reverted the loss of band 3 transport capacity. It is concluded that peroxynitrite promotes a decrease in anion transport that is partially due to the reversible oxidation of band 3 cysteine residues. Additionally, band 3 tyrosine nitration seems not to be relevant for the loss of its anion transport capacity.     

Effects of peroxynitrite on isolated cardiac trabeculae: selective impact on myofibrillar energetic controllers

Formation of peroxynitrite and cardiac protein nitration have been implicated in multiple cardiac disease states, but their contributions to disease initiation remain undefined. We have previously observed nitration of myofibrillar regions of cardiac myocytes in several experimental and clinical settings of cardiac myocyte dysfunction and postulated that oxidative insult to key components of the contractile apparatus may be initiating events. Here we tested the hypothesis that peroxynitrite alters myofibrillar contractile function, and investigated a mechanistic role for nitration in this process. Isolated rat ventricular trabeculae were exposed to physiologically relevant concentrations of peroxynitrite and ATP-dependent contractile responses were measured. Maximal trabecular force generation was significantly impaired following 300 nM peroxynitrite exposures. Several myofibrillar proteins demonstrated increased tyrosine nitration, the most significant increases occurred in the myosin heavy chain and the myofibrillar isoform of creatine kinase. Additional functional experiments were conducted using phosphocreatine (high energy phosphate substrate for myofibrillar creatine kinase) as the primary energy substrate. Myofibrillar creatine kinase-dependent force generation was impaired at peroxynitrite concentrations as low as 50 nM, suggesting potent inactivation of the enzyme. Extent of tyrosine nitration of myofibrillar creatine kinase was negatively correlated to myofibrillar creatine kinase-dependent force generation. These data demonstrate that the cardiac contractile apparatus is highly sensitive to peroxynitrite, and that MM-CK may be a uniquely vulnerable target.