Molecular chlorine generated by the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system of phagocytes produces 5-chlorocytosine in bacterial RNA

Myeloperoxidase, a heme enzyme secreted by activated phagocytes, uses H(2)O(2) and Cl(-) to generate the chlorinating intermediate hypochlorous acid (HOCl). This potent cytotoxic oxidant plays a critical role in host defenses against invading pathogens. In this study, we explore the possibility that myeloperoxidase-derived HOCl might oxidize nucleic acids. When we exposed 2'-deoxycytidine to the myeloperoxidase-H(2)O(2)-Cl(-) system, we obtained a single major product that was identified as 5-chloro-2'-deoxycytidine using mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography, UV-visible spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. 5-Chloro-2'-deoxycytidine production by myeloperoxidase required H(2)O(2) and Cl(-), suggesting that HOCl is an intermediate in the reaction. However, reagent HOCl failed to generate 5-chloro-2'-deoxycytidine in the absence of Cl(-). Moreover, chlorination of 2'-deoxycytidine was optimal under acidic conditions in the presence of Cl(-). These results implicate molecular chlorine (Cl(2)), which is in equilibrium with HOCl through a reaction requiring Cl(-) and H(+), in the generation of 5-chloro-2'-deoxycytidine. Activated human neutrophils were able to generate 5-chloro-2'-deoxycytidine. Cellular chlorination was blocked by catalase and heme poisons, consistent with a myeloperoxidase-catalyzed reaction. The myeloperoxidase-H(2)O(2)-Cl(-) system generated similar levels of 5-chlorocytosine in RNA and DNA in vitro. In striking contrast, only cell-associated RNA acquired detectable levels of 5-chlorocytosine when intact Escherichia coli was exposed to the myeloperoxidase system. This observation suggests that oxidizing intermediates generated by myeloperoxidase selectively target intracellular RNA for chlorination. Collectively, these results indicate that Cl(2) derived from HOCl generates 5-chloro-2'-deoxycytidine during the myeloperoxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 2'-deoxycytidine. Phagocytic generation of Cl(2) therefore may constitute one mechanism for oxidizing nucleic acids at sites of inflammation.     

Ontogeny of reactive nitrogen species production by blood phagocytes in pigs

The aim of this work was to evaluate ontogeny of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production by peripheral blood phagocytes in pig. Pig fetuses (55 and 92 days of gestation) and postnatal piglets (1, 3, 8, 17, 31 and 41 days after birth) were used. RNS production was measured by fluorescent probes diaminofluorescein-diacetate (DAF-FMDA) and dichloro-fluorescein-diacetate (H2DCFDA). Levels of nitration of cell proteins were established by immunofluorescent detection of nitrotyrosine. Levels of plasma nitrites/nitrates were detected spectrophotometrically by Griess reaction. Nitric oxide production measured by DAF-FMDA in neutrophils decreased during postnatal life. Spontaneous RNS measured by H2DCFDA decreased from 55th day of gestation to the 41st day of life. Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate activated production decreased during postnatal life. Production of NO measured by DAF-FMDA in macrophages decreased from the first to 41st day after birth. RNS production measured by H2DCFDA in monocytes did not show any significant changes during ontogeny. The level of nitrotyrosine significantly decreased from the third to 17th day. Levels of plasma nitrites/nitrates gradually decreased from the 55th day of gestation to the 41st day after birth. A temporary increase in all parameters occurred after weaning, but without any significance. In conclusion, RNS production has a decreasing trend during ontogeny and is transiently upregulated after weaning.     

Pindolol is a potent scavenger of reactive nitrogen species

Pindolol is an indolic drug that has been shown to enhance and/or accelerate selective serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)-induced antidepressant (AD) effect, even though the respective mechanism is still unclear. It has been demonstrated that inhibition of nitric oxide (*NO) synthesis in CNS produces anxiolytic and AD-like behavioural effects in a variety of animal paradigms. On the other hand, sustained high levels of *NO may be deleterious to CNS, predominantly due to the formation of peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-), which is generated via reaction of *NO with superoxide radical (O2*-). Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to characterize the putative pindolol scavenging effect on *NO, ONOO-, and O2*-, using in vitro non-cellular systems. The obtained results clearly show that pindolol is a potent scavenger of *NO (IC50 of 449+/-33 microM) and ONOO- (IC50 of 131+/-24 microM). Additionally, the scavenging effect of pindolol increased almost 8 times in the presence of 25 mM NaHCO3 (IC50 of 17+/-3 microM), which indicates that pindolol efficiently scavenges reactive species that are produced from the ONOO-/CO2 reaction such as the nitrogen dioxide radical (*NO2) and the carbonate radical anion (CO3*-). These effects may contribute for the reduction of SSRI antidepressant latency that has been attributed to pindolol and may also constitute an additional value for this drug when depression is associated with pro-oxidant neurodegenerative diseases.     

8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine formation during the catalytic oxidation of hydrazines in the presence of 2'-deoxyguanosine.

The reaction of 2'-deoxyguanosine (1), substituted hydrazines (Hy) and oxygen, in the presence of Cu(II) as catalyst, yields 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (2). The rate of formation of 2 was found to be dependent upon the oxidation potential of the Hy and on structural factors of the Hy. The conversion of 1 to 2 under these conditions suggested that a Haber-Weiss/Fenton type of process was involved with Hy acting as reductant. However, the dependence of the rate of the conversion of 1 to 2 upon the structure of Hy suggested that the Hy substrates studied may be more directly involved in the process than that of a reducing agent. Additional studies of this reaction system, including the oxygen consumption, radical trapping studies and direct ESR measurements suggest that the conversion of 1 to 2, under the conditions used, involves the intermediacy of complex composed of the metal catalyst, 1, Hy and oxygen. The rate data for the conversion of 1 to 2 appear to be correlated with the carcinogenicity of Hy and therefore 2 may be an important DNA adduct in the carcinogenesis of hydrazines.     

1,4-Diamino-2-butanone, a wide-spectrum microbicide, yields reactive species by metal-catalyzed oxidation

The α-aminoketone 1,4-diamino-2-butanone (DAB), a putrescine analogue, is highly toxic to various microorganisms, including Trypanosoma cruzi. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying DAB's cytotoxic properties. We report here that DAB (pK_a 7.5 and 9.5) undergoes aerobic oxidation in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, at 37 °C, catalyzed by Fe(II) and Cu(II) ions yielding NH₄⁺ ion, H₂O₂, and 4-amino-2-oxobutanal (oxoDAB). OxoDAB, like methylglyoxal and other α-oxoaldehydes, is expected to cause protein aggregation and nucleobase lesions. Propagation of DAB oxidation by superoxide radical was confirmed by the inhibitory effect of added SOD (50 U ml^? 1) and stimulatory effect of xanthine/xanthine oxidase, a source of superoxide radical. EPR spin trapping studies with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) revealed an adduct attributable to DMPO–HO^?, and those with α-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone or 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzenesulfonic acid, a six-line adduct assignable to a DAB^? resonant enoyl radical adduct. Added horse spleen ferritin (HoSF) and bovine apo-transferrin underwent oxidative changes in tryptophan residues in the presence of 1.0–10 mM DAB. Iron release from HoSF was observed as well. Assays performed with fluorescein-encapsulated liposomes of cardiolipin and phosphatidylcholine (20:80) incubated with DAB resulted in extensive lipid peroxidation and consequent vesicle permeabilization. DAB (0–10 mM) administration to cultured LLC-MK2 epithelial cells caused a decline in cell viability, which was inhibited by preaddition of either catalase (4.5 μM) or aminoguanidine (25 mM). Our findings support the hypothesis that DAB toxicity to several pathogenic microorganisms previously described may involve not only reported inhibition of polyamine metabolism but also DAB pro-oxidant activity.     

Identification of the main oxidation products of 8-methoxy-2'-deoxyguanosine by singlet molecular oxygen

It is now well established that oxidation of 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) in DNA by singlet molecular oxygen [O2 (1Delta(g))] produces 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo), whereas the main degradation products of free dGuo in aqueous solution have been identified as the two diastereomers of spiroiminodihydantoin nucleoside. Interestingly, O2 (1Delta(g))-mediated oxidation of free 8-oxodGuo gives rise to a pattern of degradation products that is different from that observed when the nucleoside is inserted into DNA. The reasons for these differences and the mechanisms involved in the oxidation reactions are not yet completely understood for either dGuo or 8-oxodGuo, either free or within DNA. In the present work, we report a study of the reaction of O2 (1Delta(g)) toward a modified nucleoside, 8-methoxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-MeOdGuo), either free or incorporated into an oligonucleotide. The reason for the choice of 8-MeOdGuo as a chemical model to study in more detail the oxidation pathways of 8-oxodGuo or, more precisely, of the tautomeric 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine was dictated by the fact that only the 7,8-enolic tautomer is present in the molecule. The thermolysis of an endoperoxide of a naphthalene derivative as a clean chemical source of 18O-labeled O2 (1Delta(g)) was used to oxidize 8-MeOdGuo. The main O2 (1Delta(g)) oxidation products that were separated and analyzed by HPLC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry were identified as the 2'-deoxyribonucleoside derivatives of 2,2,4-triamino-5-(2H)oxazolone, 2,5-diamino-4H-imidazol-4-one together with the methyl-substituted derivatives of spiroiminodihydantoin, oxidized iminoallantoin and urea. On the other hand, O2 (1Delta(g)) oxidation of 8-MeOdGuo-containing oligonucleotide generated imidazolone as the predominant degradation product. These results provided new mechanistic insights into the reactions of O2 (1Delta(g)) with purine nucleosides.     

Nitrated and oxidized products of a single tryptophan residue in human Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase treated with either peroxynitrite-carbon dioxide or myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-nitrite

We reported previously that a single tryptophan residue, Trp32, in human Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase is specifically modified by peroxynitrite-CO2 [Yamakura et al. (2001) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1548, 38-46]. In this study, we modified Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase by using a combination of myeloperoxidase, hydrogen peroxide, and nitrite. The modified enzyme showed no loss of copper and zinc, and 15% less enzymatic activity. Trp32 was the only significant amino acid lost. After trypsin digestion of the modified SOD with peroxynitrite-CO2 and the myeloperoxidase system, six newly appearing peptides containing tryptophan derivatives were observed on microLC-ESI-Q-TOF mass analyses and HPLC with a photodiode-array detector. The derivatives of the tryptophan residue exhibiting mass increases of 4, 16 (2 peaks), 32, 45 (major), and 45 Da (minor) were identified as kynurenine, oxindole-3-alanine and its derivatives, dihydroxytryptophan, 6-nitrotryptophan and 5-nitrotryptophan, respectively. We further identified 6-nitrotryptophan from the 1H-NMR spectrum for the pronase-digested product and calculated the yield of 6-nitrotryptophan as being about 30% for each of the modification methods. The tryptophan residue in the modified human Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase gave the same spectra for the products including 6-nitrotryptophan as the major nitrated product with the two different modification systems.     

Neopterin, a marker of immune response, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, a marker of oxidative stress, correlate at high age as determined by automated simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of human urine

Using an established high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method based on anion exchange chromatography, fraction collection, and electrochemical detection, the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) can be analyzed rapidly and precisely in human urine samples. In addition, by ultraviolet (UV) detection, it was shown recently that it is possible to simultaneously analyze creatinine and 7-methylguanine (m⁷Gua), an RNA degradation product, in urine. By adding a fluorescence detector to the HPLC system, we now report that it is also possible to detect pteridins such as neopterin and biopterin. The fluorescence detection was evaluated in detail for neopterin, an immune response and tumor marker. The urinary content of neopterin, assessed by using the HPLC method, was verified with a commercial neopterin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit as indicated by the high correlation between the two methods (r = 0.98). In urinary samples from 58 young healthy individuals (male and female nonsmokers, ages 19-39 years), it was found that there was no significant correlation (r = −0.04) between the levels of 8-OH-dG and neopterin (as normalized to urinary creatinine levels). In contrast, in urinary samples from 60 old healthy individuals (male and female nonsmokers, ages 60-86 years), there was a significant correlation (r = 0.47) found between the levels of 8-OH-dG and neopterin (as normalized to urinary creatinine levels). These findings strongly indicate that the higher level of immune response that was correlating with old age contributes significantly to the higher level of oxidative damage as assessed in the form of 8-OH-dG. Using this type of HPLC system, it is possible to evaluate oxidative DNA damage and immune response simultaneously using the respective urinary markers. These data may contribute to understanding of the pathophysiology of diseases such as infections and tumor progression where both oxidative stress and immune response occur simultaneously.     

Formation of 8-nitroguanine from 2'-deoxyguanosine by NO/O2 system.

We investigated the reaction of 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) with NO/O2 gas mixture under physiological condition and detected 8-nitroguanine, which is known as a novel DNA lesion caused by peroxynitrite (ONOO-). The yield increased with increase in the ratio of O2 and pH. The reaction mechanism is discussed.     

Benzo[a]pyrene and its metabolites combined with ultraviolet A synergistically induce 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine via reactive oxygen species

We previously reported that benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and UVA radiation synergistically induced oxidative DNA damage via 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) formation in vitro. The present study shows that microsomal BaP metabolites and UVA radiation potently enhance 8-OHdG formation in calf thymus DNA about 3-fold over the parent compound BaP. Utilization of various reactive oxygen species scavengers revealed that singlet oxygen and superoxide radical anion were involved in the 8-OHdG formation induced by microsomal BaP metabolites and UVA. Two specific BaP metabolites, benzo[a]pyrene-r-7,t-8-dihydrodiol-t-9,10-epoxide (+/-) (anti) (BPDE) and BaP-7,8-dione, were further tested for synergism with UVA. BaP-7,8-dione showed an effect on 8-OHdG formation induced by UVA radiation that was similar to that of the parent BaP, whereas BPDE exhibited significantly higher induction of 8-OHdG than BaP. At as low as 0.5 microM, BPDE plus UVA radiation substantially increased 8-OHdG levels about 25-fold over the parent BaP. BPDE increased the formation of 8-OHdG levels in both BPDE concentration- and UVA dose-dependent manners. Additionally, singlet oxygen was found to play a major role in 8-OHdG induction by BPDE and UVA. These results suggest that BaP metabolites such as BPDE synergize with UVA radiation to produce ROS, which in turn induce DNA damage.     

Cholesterol, not polyunsaturated fatty acids, is target molecule in oxidation induced by reactive oxygen species in membrane of human erythrocytes

The oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is linked to aging and to many diseases. We herein employ initiating peroxyl radical (ROO•) derived from the decomposition of 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane dihydrochloride), hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction and peroxyl radical (ROO•) and alkoxyl radical (LO•) derived from PUFAs by addition of Cu²⁺ as ROS sources to oxidize glycerides under alkaline conditions in the presence of methanol instead of being treated traditionally by diazomethane (CH₂N₂) under acidic conditions (pH=2.0), to obtain corresponding methyl esters for the combination of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry determination. It was found that all the PUFAs in the membrane are perfectly preserved after oxidation by ROS, even though sufficient time is available for the interaction between human erythrocytes and ROS. This indicates that ROS do not damage PUFAs during reaction time. However, three products (cholesta-4,6-dien-3-ol, cholesta-4,6-dien-3-one, and cholesta-3,5-dien-7-one) are produced from the oxidation of cholesterol within this time frame. This qualitative finding, suggests that the cholesterol in the membrane of human erythrocytes is more susceptible to ROS-induced oxidation than are PUFAs, and compels us to re-evaluate the physiological roles of cholesterol and PUFAs in the human erythrocyte membrane.     

Formation of a diimino-imidazole nucleoside from 2'-deoxyguanosine by singlet oxygen generated by methylene blue photooxidation

Singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) is capable of inducing genotoxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. It has previously been reported that the reaction of (1)O(2) with 2'-deoxyguanosine, which is a major target of (1)O(2) among the DNA constituents, leads to formation of various oxidized products including 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine and spiroiminodihydantoin, amino-imidazolone and diamino-oxazolone nucleosides. In addition to these products, we report that a novel diimino-imidazole nucleoside, 2,5-diimino-4-[(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)amino]-2H,5H-imidazole (dD), is formed by reaction of 2'-deoxyguanosine with (1)O(2) generated by irradiation with visible light in the presence of methylene blue under aerobic conditions. Its identification is based on identical chromatographic and spectroscopic data with an authentic compound, which we recently isolated and characterised from the reaction mixture of 2'-deoxyguanosine with reagent HOCl and a myeloperoxidase-H(2)O(2)-Cl(-) system. The yield of dD was increased by D(2)O and decreased by azide. dD was not generated from 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine. These results indicate that dD is generated by (1)O(2) directly from 2'-deoxyguanosine, but not via 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine. dD may play a role in the genotoxicity of singlet oxygen in cells.     

Formation of the oxidative damage marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine from the nucleoside 2'-deoxyguanosine: parameter studies and evidence of Fe(II) binding

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV absorption detection was employed to measure the amounts of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) produced from the nucleoside 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) under varying reaction conditions using iron and H(2)O(2). The results indicate that 8-OH-dG produced from the reaction of iron and H(2)O(2) with dG can undergo reaction with free (i.e., unchelated) Fe(III) and that adding the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) after the reaction prevents this from occurring. It also appears that the free radical species generated by iron-EDTA chelates in pH 7.4 N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N'-(2-ethanesulfonic acid) (Hepes) buffer is either not formed or unstable in unbuffered aqueous solution. Finally, 8-OH-dG levels are significantly larger when Fe(II) is allowed to bind to the nucleoside dG prior to addition of H(2)O(2). However, production of 8-OH-dG from unbound Fe(II) is also relevant. The results of this work show that differing reaction conditions in vivo, especially at the cellular level, will affect significantly the measured yields of 8-OH-dG. These results also have implications for studies involving DNA and the ability to distinguish between 8-OH-dG produced from free iron and iron bound to both phosphate groups and the DNA base guanine.     

Analytical methods for 3-nitrotyrosine as a marker of exposure to reactive nitrogen species: a review.

Nitric oxide (NO*) is a diatomic free radical which has recently been found to have a key role in both normal physiological processes and disease states. The presence of NO in biological systems leads to the formation of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) such as peroxynitrite which reacts avidly with tyrosine residues in proteins to form nitrotyrosine (NTYR). Since peroxynitrite has a very short half-life at neutral pH, the presence of NTYR has been used as a marker of RNS production in various tissues. A number of methods for separation, detection, and quantitation of NTYR in biological samples have been developed. These methods include immunochemical techniques such as immunhistochemistry, ELISA, and Western blotting, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in combination with various detection systems including UV and electrochemical detection (ECD), gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and electrospray mass spectrometry. In terms of sensitivity and specificity, it would appear that methods based on combinations of HPLC and various types of ECD are very versatile giving a limit of detection of 20 fmol per injection of protein hydrolysate. They are only limited by the sample quantity and the preparation that is required to achieve acceptable chromatograms. In addition to the detection of NTYR as a marker of RNS, its role in biological systems may be more subtle with nitration of key tyrosine residues likely to profoundly affect cellular function such as signaling cascades. Further advances are likely to be made in the localization of NTYR residues in peptide fragments using mass spectrometry.     

Methionine oxidation by peroxymonocarbonate, a reactive oxygen species formed from CO2/bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide

Kinetic and thermodynamic evidence is reported for the role of the peroxymonocarbonate ion, HCO4-, as a reactive oxygen species in biology. Peroxymonocarbonate results from the equilibrium reaction of hydrogen peroxide with bicarbonate via the perhydration of CO2. The kinetic parameters for HCO4- oxidation of free methionine have been obtained (k1 = 0.48 +/- 0.08 M(-1)s(-1) by a spectrophotometric initial rate method). At the physiological concentration of bicarbonate in blood ( approximately 25 mM), it is estimated that peroxymonocarbonate formed in equilibrium with hydrogen peroxide will oxidize methionine approximately 2-fold more rapidly than plasma H2O2 itself. As an example of methionine oxidation in proteins, the bicarbonate-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide oxidation of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1-PI) has been investigated via its inhibitory effect on porcine pancreatic elastase activity. The second-order rate constant for HCO4- oxidation of alpha1-PI (0.36 +/- 0.06 M(-1)s(-1)) is comparable to that of free methionine, suggesting that methionine oxidation is occurring. Further evidence for methionine oxidation, specifically involving Met358 and Met351 of the alpha1-PI reactive center loop, has been obtained through amino acid analyses and mass spectroscopic analyses of proteolytic digests of the oxidized alpha1-PI. These results strongly suggest that HCO4- should be considered a reactive oxygen species in aerobic metabolism.     

S-phase arrest by reactive nitrogen species is bypassed by okadaic acid, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases PP1/PP2A

In mammalian cells DNA damage activates a checkpoint that halts progression through S phase. To determine the ability of nitrating agents to induce S-phase arrest, mouse C10 cells synchronized in S phase were treated with nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) or SIN-1, a generator of reactive nitrogen species (RNS). SIN-1 or NO(2) induced S-phase arrest in a dose- and time-dependent manner. As for the positive controls adozelesin and cisplatin, arrest was accompanied by phosphorylation of ATM kinase; dephosphorylation of pRB; decreases in RF-C, cyclin D1, Cdc25A, and Cdc6; and increases in p21. Comet assays indicated that RNS induce minimal DNA damage. Moreover, in a cell-free replication system, nuclei from cells treated with RNS were able to support control levels of DNA synthesis when incubated in cytosolic extracts from untreated cells, whereas nuclei from cells treated with cisplatin were not. Induction of phosphatase activity may represent one mechanism of RNS-induced arrest, for the PP1/PP2A phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid inhibited dephosphorylation of pRB; prevented decreases in the levels of RF-C, cyclin D1, Cdc6, and Cdc25A; and bypassed arrest by SIN-1 or NO(2), but not cisplatin or adozelesin. Our studies suggest that RNS may induce S-phase arrest through mechanisms that differ from those elicited by classical DNA-damaging agents.     

O2-mediated oxidation of ferrous nitrosylated human serum heme-albumin is limited by nitrogen monoxide dissociation

Human serum heme–albumin (HSA-heme-Fe) displays globin-like properties. Here, kinetics of O₂-mediated oxidation of ferrous nitrosylated HSA-heme-Fe (HSA-heme-Fe(II)-NO) is reported. Values of the first-order rate constants for O₂-mediated oxidation of HSA-heme-Fe(II)-NO (i.e., for ferric HSA-heme-Fe formation) and for NO dissociation from HSA-heme-Fe(II)-NO (i.e., for NO replacement by CO) are k = 9.8 × 10⁻⁵ and 8.3 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, and h = 1.3 × 10⁻⁴ and 8.5 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, in the absence and presence of rifampicin, respectively, at pH = 7.0 and T = 20.0 °C. The coincidence of values of k and h indicates that NO dissociation represents the rate limiting step of O₂-mediated oxidation of HSA-heme-Fe(II)-NO. Mixing HSA-heme-Fe(II)-NO with O₂ does not lead to the formation of the transient adduct(s), but leads to the final ferric HSA-heme-Fe derivative. These results reflect the fast O₂-mediated oxidation of ferrous HSA-heme-Fe and highlight the role of drugs in modulating allosterically the heme-Fe-atom reactivity.     

JNK signaling pathway is a key modulator in cell death mediated by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), or stress-activated protein kinase, is an important member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily, the members of which are readily activated by many environmental stimuli. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are important groups of free radicals that are capable of eliciting direct damaging effects or acting as critical intermediate signaling molecules, leading to oxidative and nitrosative stress and a series of biological consequences. Recently there has been an increasing amount of research interest focusing on the regulatory role of JNK activation in ROS-and RNS-induced cellular responses. In this review we will first summarize and discuss some recent findings regarding the signaling mechanisms of ROS-or RNS-mediated JNK activation. Second, we will talk about the role of JNK in ROS-or RNS-mediated cell death (both apoptosis and necrosis). Finally, we will analyze the emerging evidence for the involvement of ROS and RNS as mediators in tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis. Taken together, the accumulating knowledge about the ROS/RNS-induced JNK signaling pathway has greatly advanced our understanding of the complex processes deciding the cellular responses to environmental stress.     

Novel products generated from 2'-deoxyguanosine by hypochlorous acid or a myeloperoxidase-H2O2-Cl- system: identification of diimino-imidazole and amino-imidazolone nucleosides

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), generated by myeloperoxidase from H2O2 and Cl-, plays an important role in host defense and inflammatory tissue injury. We report here the identification of products generated from 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) with HOCl. When 1 mM dGuo and 1 mM HOCl were reacted at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C for 15 min and the reaction was terminated with N-acetylcysteine (N-AcCys), two products were generated in addition to 8-chloro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-Cl-dGuo). One was identified as an amino-imidazolone nucleoside (dIz), a previously reported product of dGuo with other oxidation systems. The other was identified as a novel diimino-imidazole nucleoside, 2,5-diimino-4-[(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)amino]-2H,5H-imidazole (dDiz) by spectrometric measurements. The yields were 1.4% dDiz, 0.6% dIz and 2.4% 8-Cl-dGuo, with 61.5% unreacted dGuo. Precursors of dDiz and dIz containing a chlorine atom were found in the reaction solution in the absence of termination by N-AcCys. dDiz, dIz and 8-Cl-dGuo were also formed from the reaction of dGuo with myeloperoxidase in the presence of H2O2 and Cl- under mildly acidic conditions. These results imply that dDiz and dIz are generated from dGuo via chlorination by electrophilic attack of HOCl and subsequent dechlorination by N-AcCys. These products may play a role in cytotoxic and/or genotoxic effects of HOCl.     

Formation of 8-nitroguanosine in cellular RNA as a biomarker of exposure to reactive nitrogen species

Reactive nitrogen species, such as peroxynitrite, nitrogen oxides and nitryl chloride, have been implicated as a cause of diverse pathophysiological conditions, including inflammation, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases and cancer. We previously reported that 8-nitroguanine is formed by reactions of guanine or calf-thymus DNA with peroxynitrite in vitro. In the present study, we have studied the formation of 8-nitroguanosine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine in reactions of calf-liver RNA with various reactive nitrogen species. 8-Nitroguanosine in RNA was found to be much more stable than 8-nitro-2' -deoxyguanosine in DNA, which rapidly depurinates to release 8-nitroguanine. Both 8-nitroguanosine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine were formed in calf-liver RNA following exposure to various reactive nitrogen species, such as synthetic peroxynitrite. They were also formed in RNA by reactive species formed from nitric oxide and superoxide anion generated concomitantly from 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1) and those formed with myeloperoxidase or horseradish peroxidase in the presence of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide. 8-Nitroguanosine was detected by HPLC with an electrochemical detector in enzymatic hydrolyzates of RNA isolated from human lung carcinoma cells incubated with synthetic peroxynitrite. Our results indicate that 8-nitroguanosine in cellular RNA could be measured as a marker of damage caused by endogenous reactive nitrogen species in tissues and cells.