Homocysteine and its thiolactone impair plasmin activity induced by urokinase or streptokinase in vitro

Mechanisms of homocysteine (Hcy) contribution to thrombosis are complex and only partly recognized. The available data suggest that the prothrombotic activity of homocysteine may be not only a result of the changes in coagulation process and endothelial dysfunction, but also the dysfunction of fibrinolysis. The aim of the present work was to assess the effects of homocysteine (10-100 μM mM) and its thiolactone (HTL, 0.1-1 μM) on plasminogen and plasmin functions in vitro. The amidolytic activity of generated plasmin in Hcy or HTL-treated plasminogen and plasma samples was measured by the hydrolysis of chromogenic substrate. Effects of Hcy and HTL on proteolytic activity of plasmin were monitored electrophoretically, by using of fibrinogen as a substrate. The exposure of human plasma and purified plasminogen to Hcy or HTL resulted in the decrease of urokinase-induced plasmin activity. In plasminogen samples treated with the highest concentration of homocysteine (100 μM) or thiolactone (1 μM), the activity of plasmin was inhibited by about 50%. In plasma samples, a reduction of amidolytic activity by about 30% (for 100 μM Hcy) and 40% (for 1 μM HTL), was observed. Both Hcy and HTL were also able to diminish the streptokinase-induced proteolytic activity of plasmin. In conclusion, the results obtained in this study demonstrate that Hcy and HTL may affect fibrinolytic properties of plasminogen and plasma, leading to the decrease of plasmin activity.     

The disturbance of hemostasis induced by hyperhomocysteinemia; the role of antioxidants

Elevated concentration of homocysteine (Hcy) in human tissues, definied as hyperhomocysteinemia has been correlated with some diseases, such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and kidney disorders. Homocysteine occurs in human blood plasma in several forms, including the most reactive one, the homocysteine thiolactone (HTL) - a cyclic thioester, which represents up to 0.29% of total plasma Hcy. In the article, the effects of hyperhomocysteinemia on the complex process of hemostasis, which regulates the flowing properties of blood, are described. Possible interactions of homocysteine and its different derivatives, including homocysteine thiolactone, with the major components of hemostasis such as endothelial cells, blood platelets, plasmatic fibrinogen and plasminogen, are also discussed. Modifications of hemostatic proteins (N-homocysteinylation or S-homocysteinylation) induced by Hcy or its thiolactone seem to be the main cause of homocysteine biotoxicity in hemostatic abnormalities. It is suggested that Hcy and HTL may also act as oxidants, but various polyphenolic antioxidants are able to inhibit the oxidative damage induced by Hcy or HTL. We also discuss the role of phenolic antioxidants in hyperhomocysteinemia -induced changes in hemostasis.     

N-homocysteinylation of α-synuclein promotes its aggregation and neurotoxicity

The aggregation of α-synuclein plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Epidemiological evidence indicates that high level of homocysteine (Hcy) is associated with an increased risk of PD. However, the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we report that homocysteine thiolactone (HTL), a reactive thioester of Hcy, covalently modifies α-synuclein on the K80 residue. The levels of α-synuclein K80Hcy in the brain are increased in an age-dependent manner in the TgA53T mice, correlating with elevated levels of Hcy and HTL in the brain during aging. The N-homocysteinylation of α-synuclein stimulates its aggregation and forms fibrils with enhanced seeding activity and neurotoxicity. Intrastriatal injection of homocysteinylated α-synuclein fibrils induces more severe α-synuclein pathology and motor deficits when compared with unmodified α-synuclein fibrils. Increasing the levels of Hcy aggravates α-synuclein neuropathology in a mouse model of PD. In contrast, blocking the N-homocysteinylation of α-synuclein ameliorates α-synuclein pathology and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. These findings suggest that the covalent modification of α-synuclein by HTL promotes its aggregation. Targeting the N-homocysteinylation of α-synuclein could be a novel therapeutic strategy against PD.     

Folic acid incorporated nitrogen-doped carbon dots as a turn-on fluorescence probe for homocysteine detection

This study describes the development of a low-cost fluorescence assay for detecting homocysteine (Hcy) without the interference of cysteine and glutathione using carbon quantum dots. Herein nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCDs) were synthesized from citric acid as the carbon source and urea as the dopant using a one-pot microwave-assisted method. The obtained NCDs were incorporated with folic acid (FA) by the direct ex situ addition method and were used as a fluorescence probe to detect Hcy. The probe exhibited a fluorescence turn-on response with increased Hcy concentration up to 50 μM with a limit of detection of 2.276 μM. The point of care detection of Hcy using the probe was also tested with a paper-based assay strip.     

Specific detection of cysteine and homocysteine in biological fluids by tuning the pH values of fluorosurfactant-stabilized gold colloidal solution

This study describes the use of 14 nm nonionic fluorosurfactant-capped gold nanoparticles (FSN-capped AuNPs) for the simultaneous detection of cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcy) using colorimetric method, requiring no use of separation techniques. It was found that the kinetics of Cys/Hcy-induced aggregation of the 14 nm FSN-capped AuNPs strongly depends on the pH value of gold colloidal solution. At a pH of 6.5, the Cys-induced aggregation kinetics of the FSN-capped AuNPs was almost identical to that induced by Hcy, facilitating simultaneous detection of total Cys and Hcy up to a concentration as low as 0.15 μM; while at pH 12.0, the kinetics of Cys-induced aggregation was much faster than that inducted by Hcy, leading to selective detection of Cys at concentration as low as 1.0 μM in the presence of Hcy. The applicability of the method was validated by spiking known amount of Cys and Hcy in human urine and plasma samples, obtaining a recovery of 95.4–105.5%. The present approach is simple, high selective and provides high reproducibility, and has a great potentiality in disease diagnosis.     

Determination of total plasma homocysteine and related aminothiols by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection

A selective and sensitive method for the determination of total homocysteine (Hcy) and related aminothiols, such as cysteine (Cys) and cysteinylglycine (CysGly), in plasma samples by gas chromatography (GC) has been developed. After reduction of the sample with sodium borohydride, the liberated Hcy and other aminothiols were converted to their N,S-diisopropoxycarbonyl methyl ester derivatives and measured by GC with flame photometric detection using a DB-17 capillary column. The calibration curves were linear over the range 0.5–10 nmol for Hcy and CysGly, and over the range 5–100 nmol for Cys, and the correlation coefficients were above 0.996. Using this method, total plasma Hcy, Cys and CysGly could be directly analysed without prior clean-up of the sample and without any interference from coexisting substances. Overall recoveries of Hcy and other aminothiols added to plasma samples were 95–106%. Analytical results for the determination of total plasma Hcy, Cys and CysGly from normal subjects are presented.     

Reduction of dehydroascorbic acid by homocysteine

To determine the reductive process of extracellular dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), molecules (homocysteine, homocysteine thiolactone, methionine, cysteine, and homoserine) were tested to identify those with the potential to reduce DHA to ascorbic acid (AA). Homocysteine (Hcy) was the most potent of the molecules tested. The efficacy of Hcy was compared with that of other molecules able to reduce DHA (reduced glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (Cy)). Although all three molecules were able to reduce DHA, GSH and Cy were not to reduce DHA to AA at concentrations lower than 100 micromol/l, and only less than 5% DHA was reduced to AA at concentrations of 200-300 micromol/l. In contrast, Hcy reduced DHA to AA stoichiometrically at concentrations as low as 10 micromol/l. In Jurkat and U937 cells, the increasing concentrations of extracellular Hcy suppressed intracellular dehydroascorbic acid uptake, indicating that extracellular reduction of DHA by Hcy leads to decreasing extracellular DHA available for its intracellular uptake. Simultaneous oxidation and reduction of Hcy and DHA were accelerated extracellularly in the presence of quercetin, an inhibitor of DHA uptake, suggesting that extracellular ascorbic acid concentration increased via blocking DHA uptake by quercetin and reducing extracellular DHA by Hcy. The effect of homocysteine on DHA reduction and uptake was confirmed with human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The oxidation of Hcy also prevented the decrease in DNA synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which would occur following exposure to Hcy.     

N-Homocysteinylation Induces Different Structural and Functional Consequences on Acidic and Basic Proteins

One of the proposed mechanisms of homocysteine toxicity in human is the modification of proteins by the metabolite of Hcy, homocysteine thilolactone (HTL). Incubation of proteins with HTL has earlier been shown to form covalent adducts with ε-amino group of lysine residues of protein (called N-homocysteinylation). It has been believed that protein N-homocysteinylation is the pathological hallmark of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders as homocysteinylation induces structural and functional alterations in proteins. In the present study, reactivity of HTL towards proteins with different physico-chemical properties and hence their structural and functional alterations were studied using different spectroscopic approaches. We found that N-homocysteinylation has opposite consequences on acidic and basic proteins suggesting that pI of the protein determines the extent of homocysteinylation, and the structural and functional consequences due to homocysteinylation. Mechanistically, pI of protein determines the extent of N-homocysteinylation and the associated structural and functional alterations. The study suggests the role of HTL primarily targeting acidic proteins in eliciting its toxicity that could yield mechanistic insights for the associated neurodegeneration.     

Use of a commercially available reagent for the selective detection of homocysteine in plasma

A procedure for the detection of homocysteine (Hcy) in blood plasma is described. A commercially available chromogen is added to the plasma sample. The plasma solution turns from yellow to blue upon heating for 4 min when a detectable threshold level of Hcy is present. Chromatographic separations and immunogenic materials are not needed. The protocol takes approximately 30 min.     

Mechanisms that protect against homocysteine toxicity

Elevated concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) in human tissues have been correlated with some diseases, such as cardio-vascular, neurodegenerative, and kidney disorders. Hcy occurs in human blood in several forms. The most reactive is homocysteine thiolactone (HcyTl). It spontaneously homocysteinylates proteins impairing their functions. As has been evidenced recently, organisms developed protective mechanisms against the HcyTl toxicity. The first mechanism discovered was the calcium-dependent enzyme occurring in mammalian sera, known till then as paraoxonase, which hydrolyzes HcyTl to Hcy. Chronologically second mechanism discovered was urinary excretion of HcyTl. The third protective mechanism is the HcyTl hydrolysis catalyzed by intracellular enzyme known as bleomycin hydrolase. This review outlines current knowledge of the Hcy toxicity and of the three aforementioned protective mechanisms, emphasizing the role of bleomycin hydrolase/ homocysteine-thiolactonase.     

Folate, homocysteine and neural tube defects: an overview

Folate administration substantially reduces the risk on neural tube detects (NTD). The interest for studying a disturbed homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism in relation to NTD was raised by the observation of elevated blood Hcy levels in mothers of a NTD child. This observation resulted in the examination of enzymes involved in the folate-dependent Hcy metabolism. Thus far, this has led to the identification of the first and likely a second genetic risk factor for NTD. The C677T and A1298C mutations in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene are associated with an increased risk of NTD and cause elevated Hcy concentrations. These levels can be normalized by additional folate intake. Thus, a dysfunctional MTHFR partly explains the observed elevated Hcy levels in women with NTD pregnancies and also, in part, the protective effect of folate on NTD. Although the MTHFR polymorphisms are only moderate risk factors, population-wide they may account for an important part of the observed NTD prevalence.     

Physiological regulation of phospholipid methylation alters plasma homocysteine in mice

Biological methylation reactions and homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism are intimately linked. In previous work, we have shown that phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, an enzyme that methylates phosphatidylethanolamine to form phosphatidylcholine, plays a significant role in the regulation of plasma Hcy levels through an effect on methylation demand (Noga, A. A., Stead, L. M., Zhao, Y., Brosnan, M. E., Brosnan, J. T., and Vance, D. E. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 5952-5955). We have further investigated methylation demand and Hcy metabolism in liver-specific CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase-alpha (CTalpha) knockout mice, since flux through the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase pathway is increased 2-fold to meet hepatic demand for phosphatidylcholine. Our data show that plasma Hcy is elevated by 20-40% in mice lacking hepatic CTalpha. CTalpha-deficient hepatocytes secrete 40% more Hcy into the medium than do control hepatocytes. Liver activity of betaine:homocysteine methyltransferase and methionine adenosyltransferase are elevated in the knockout mice as a mechanism for maintaining normal hepatic S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine levels. These data suggest that phospholipid methylation in the liver is a major consumer of AdoMet and a significant source of plasma Hcy.     

Hydrolysis of homocysteine thiolactone results in the formation of Protein-Cys-S-S-homocysteinylation

An increased level of homocysteine, a reactive thiol amino acid, is associated with several complex disorders and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A majority (>80%) of circulating homocysteine is protein bound. Homocysteine exclusively binds to protein cysteine residues via thiol disulfide exchange reaction, the mechanism of which has been reported. In contrast, homocysteine thiolactone, the cyclic thioester of homocysteine, is believed to exclusively bind to the primary amine group of lysine residue leading to N-homocysteinylation of proteins and hence studies on binding of homocysteine thiolactone to proteins thus far have only focused on N-homocysteinylation. Although it is known that homocysteine thiolactone can hydrolyze to homocysteine at physiological pH, surprisingly the extent of S-homocysteinylation during the exposure of homocysteine thiolactone with proteins has never been looked into. In this study, we clearly show that the hydrolysis of homocysteine thiolactone is pH dependent, and at physiological pH, 1 mM homocysteine thiolactone is hydrolysed to ~0.71 mM homocysteine within 24 h. Using albumin, we also show that incubation of HTL with albumin leads to a greater proportion of S-homocysteinylation (0.41 mol/mol of albumin) than N-homocysteinylation (0.14 mol/mol of albumin). S-homocysteinylation at Cys³⁴ of HSA on treatment with homocysteine thiolactone was confirmed using LC-MS. Further, contrary to earlier reports, our results indicate that there is no cross talk between the cysteine attached to Cys³⁴ of albumin and homocysteine attached to lysine residues.     

Localization-independent regulation of homocysteine secretion by phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase

Genetic ablation of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) in mice causes a 50% reduction in plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels. Because hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, resolution of the molecular basis for this reduction is of significant clinical interest. The PEMT pathway is a metabolically channeled process localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). To assess the importance of PEMT localization for Hcy homeostasis, we identified and ablated the minimal ER targeting motif. Mutagenesis of a conserved, C-terminal lysine residue (197) relocalized the enzyme to the Golgi, demonstrating that Lys-197 is essential for targeting PEMT to the ER. To evaluate the functional significance of PEMT localization, hepatoma cell lines were generated that stably expressed either ER- or Golgi-localized PEMT only. Intriguingly, stable expression of PEMT in either the ER or the Golgi caused increased Hcy secretion. Moreover, PEMT-mediated Hcy secretion correlated with the methyltransferase activity of the enzyme, independently of subcellular localization. Thus, our data suggest that Hcy homeostasis is regulated concomitantly with PEMT activity but independently of PEMT localization.     

Determination of in vivo protein binding of homocysteine and its relation to free homocysteine in the liver and other tissues of the rat

Low concentrations (0.5-6 nmol/g) of homocysteine (Hcy) have recently been demonstrated in acid extracts of various tissues of the mouse and rat (Ueland, P.M., Helland, S., Broch, O.-J., and Schanche, J.-S. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 2360-2364). This is referred to as free Hcy in tissues. This paper describes a method for the determination of protein-bound Hcy, which involves precipitation and washing of tissue protein with ammonium sulfate, release of Hcy from native proteins in the presence of dithioerythritol, and determination of free Hcy by a sensitive radioenzymic assay. Both free and bound Hcy decreased markedly in rat tissues within a few seconds following death of the animal. The amount of protein-bound Hcy was highest in liver, somewhat lower in kidney, brain, heart, lung, and spleen. The ratio between free and bound Hcy was between 1 and 2 in most tissues, except in cerebellum, containing a large excess of free Hcy (free/bound ratio of 18). Free Hcy was almost exclusively localized to the soluble fraction of rat liver, whereas protein-bound Hcy was about equally distributed between this fraction and the microsomes. Isolated rat hepatocytes contained free and protein-bound Hcy in proportions observed in whole liver, but a large amount of Hcy was exported into the extracellular medium. The half-lives, as determined from pulse-chase experiments with [35S] methionine, were 53 s for S-adenosylmethionine, 2 s for S-adenosylhomocysteine and 3 s for Hcy (free and bound regarded as a single pool). Furthermore, isotope equilibrium between these metabolites and between free and bound Hcy throughout the rapid chase period suggests the turnover rates of S-adenosylhomocysteine and Hcy to be production rate limited, and the dissociation rate of the Hcy-protein complex may greatly exceed the turnover rate of Hcy. Thus, the half-lives of Hcy are such that participation of both free and bound Hcy in metabolic regulation is feasible.     

Mechanisms of homocysteine toxicity in humans

Summary. Homocysteine, a non-protein amino acid, is an important risk factor for ischemic heart disease and stroke in humans. This review provides an overview of homocysteine influence on endothelium function as well as on protein metabolism with a special respect to posttranslational modification of protein with homocysteine thiolactone. Homocysteine is a pro-thrombotic factor, vasodilation impairing agent, pro-inflammatory factor and endoplasmatic reticulum-stress inducer. Incorporation of Hcy into protein via disulfide or amide linkages (S-homocysteinylation or N-homocysteinylation) affects protein structure and function. Protein N-homocysteinylation causes cellular toxicity and elicits autoimmune response, which may contribute to atherogenesis. Present address: Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Agricultural University, 60637 Poznań, Poland     

Isolation of a homocysteine gamma-lyase-producing bacterium and study of its enzyme production conditions

Aim: To investigate the possibility of finding a new homocysteine (Hcy) γ‐lyase with the desired properties for Hcy measurement in bacteria. Methods and Results: Through a process of enrichment, the Hcy γ‐lyase‐producing bacterium strain N2‐1 was isolated from soil. Based upon its morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics, as well as its 16S rDNA sequence and phylogenetic tree analysis, this isolate belongs to the genus Serratia. The effects of pH, aeration, inducers, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sources on enzyme production were studied. Methionine, yeast extract, and glucose were selected as the optimal inducer, C and N sources, respectively. Maximum production of Hcy γ‐lyase was obtained when the isolate was cultured at 30°C at pH 6·5 for about 36 h in the optimum medium. Results also showed that this Hcy γ‐lyase has relatively high specificity towards Hcy. Conclusions: Because of its high specificity for Hcy, this bacterial Hcy γ‐lyase has the potential application in Hcy determination. Significance and Impact of the Study: In addition to isolating a bacterium that produces Hcy γ‐lyase suitable for Hcy determination, this study also indicates that the bacterium could be a source for production of Hcy γ‐lyase for clinical applications.     

Influence of homocysteine on matrix metalloproteinase-2: activation and activity.

Increased levels of the physiological amino acid homocysteine (Hcy) are considered a risk factor for vascular disease. Hyperhomocysteinemia causes an intense remodelling of the extracellular matrix in arterial walls, particularly an elastolysis involving metalloproteinases. We investigated the activation of the latent elastolytic metalloproteinase proMMP-2 (72 kDa) by Hcy. Hcy was proved to exert a dual effect, activating proMMP-2 at low molar ratio (MR 10:1) and inhibiting active MMP2 at high molar ratio (MR > 1000:1). Methionine and the disulphide homocystine did not activate nor inhibit MMP-2, showing that the activation as well as the inhibition requires the thiol group to be free. The activation of proMMP-2 by Hcy is in accordance with the "cysteine-switch" mechanism, but occurs without further autoproteolysis of the enzyme molecule. In contrast with Hcy, the other physiological thiol compounds cysteine and reduced glutathione did not activate proMMP-2. These results suggest that the direct activation of proMMP2 by Hcy could be one of the mechanisms involved in the extracellular matrix deterioration in hyperhomocysteinemia-associated arteriosclerosis.     

Rhodol‐based far‐red fluorescent probe for the detection of cysteine and homocysteine over glutathione

The simultaneous discrimination of cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH) is of great importance due to their roles in biology and close link to many diseases, especially via the development of a far‐red fluorescent probe that could be used for rapid, selective, and sensitive detection of all three. Herein, we report the characterization of a far‐red fluorescent probe with turn‐on fluorescence properties and visible color changes that could be used for the detection of cysteine and homocysteine over glutathione. In this study we found that the sensor could discriminate cysteine and homocysteine over glutathione within 20 min. Function of this probe was based on the conjugate addition–cyclization reaction and showed a low detection limit to cysteine and homocysteine. Upon the addition of cysteine and homocysteine, the absorption band at 592 nm rose gradually and fluorescence was detected at 645 nm. The color changed from colorless to blue and fluorescence changed from absent to strong red fluorescence, which could be differentiated by the naked eye. All these unique features make this probe particularly potentially favorable for use in cysteine/homocysteine sensing and bioimaging applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanisms of homocysteine neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative diseases with special reference to dementia

Mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Human studies suggest that homocysteine (Hcy) plays a role in brain damage, cognitive and memory decline. Numerous studies in recent years investigated the role of Hcy as a cause of brain damage. Hcy itself or folate and vitamin B12 deficiency can cause disturbed methylation and/or redox potentials, thus promoting calcium influx, amyloid and tau protein accumulation, apoptosis, and neuronal death. The Hcy effect may also be mediated by activating the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtype. Numerous neurotoxic effects of Hcy can be blocked by folate, glutamate receptor antagonists, or various antioxidants. This review describes the most important mechanisms of Hcy neurotoxicity and pharmacological agents known to reverse Hcy effects.