Interrelationships among human aldo-keto reductases: immunochemical, kinetic and structural properties

We have proposed earlier a three gene loci model to explain the expression of the aldo-keto reductases in human tissues. According to this model, aldose reductase is a monomer of alpha subunits, aldehyde reductase I is a dimer of alpha, beta subunits, and aldehyde reductase II is a monomer of delta subunits. Using immunoaffinity methods, we have isolated the subunits of aldehyde reductase I (alpha and beta) and characterized them by immunocompetition studies. It is observed that the two subunits of aldehyde reductase I are weakly held together in the holoenzyme and can be dissociated under high ionic conditions. Aldose reductase (alpha subunits) was generated from human placenta and liver aldehyde reductase I by ammonium sulfate (80% saturation). The kinetic, structural and immunological properties of the generated aldose reductase are similar to the aldose reductase obtained from the human erythrocytes and bovine lens. The main characteristic of the generated enzyme is the requirement of Li2SO4 (0.4 M) for the expression of maximum enzyme activity, and its Km for glucose is less than 50 mM, whereas the parent enzyme, aldehyde reductase I, is completely inhibited by 0.4 M Li2SO4 and its Km for glucose is more than 200 mM. The beta subunits of aldehyde reductase I did not have enzyme activity but cross-reacted with anti-aldehyde reductase I antiserum. The beta subunits hybridized with the alpha subunits of placenta aldehyde reductase I, and aldose reductase purified from human brain and bovine lens. The hybridized enzyme had the characteristic properties of placenta aldehyde reductase I.     

Aldose and aldehyde reductases in human tissues

Immunochemical characterizations of aldose reductase and aldehyde reductases I and II, partially purified by DEAE-cellulose (DE-52) column chromatography from human tissues, were carried out by immunotitration, using antisera raised against the homogenous preparations of human and bovine lens aldose reductase and human placenta aldehyde reductase I and aldehyde reductase II. Anti-aldose reductase antiserum cross-reacted with aldehyde reductase I, anti-aldehyde reductase I antiserum cross-reacted with aldose reductase and anti-aldehyde reductase II antiserum precipitated aldehyde reductase II, but did not cross-react with aldose reductase or aldehyde reductase I from all the tissues examined. DE-52 elution profiles, substrate specificity and immunochemical characterization indicate that aldose reductase is present in human aorta, brain, erythrocyte and muscle; aldehyde reductase I is present in human kidney, liver and placenta; and aldehyde reductase II is present in human brain, erythrocyte, kidney, liver, lung and placenta. Monospecific anti-α and anti-β antisera were purified from placenta anti-aldehyde reductase I antiserum, using immunoaffinity techniques. Anti-α antiserum precipitated both aldehyde reductase I and aldose reductase, whereas anti-β antibodies cross-reacted with only aldehyde reductase I. Based on these studies, a three gene loci model is proposed to explain the genetic interrelationships among these enzymes. Aldose reductase is a monomer of α subunits, aldehyde reductase I is a dimer of α and β subunits and aldehyde reductase II is a monomer of δ subunits.     

Purification and properties of aldehyde reductases from human placenta

Aldehyde reductases (alcohol: NADP⁺-oxidoreductases, EC 1.1.1.2) I and II from human placenta have been purified to homogeneity. Aldehyde reductase I, molecular weight about 74 000, is a dimer of two nonidentical subunits of molecular weigths of about 32 500 and 39 000, whereas aldehyde erductase II is a monomer of about 32 500. Aldehyde reductase I can be dissociated into subunits under high ionic concentrations. The isoelectric pH for aldehyde reductases I and II are 5.76 and 5.20, respectively. Amino acid compositions of the two enzymes are significantly different. Placenta aldehyde reductase I can utilize glucose with a lower affinity, whereas aldehyde reductase II is not capable to reducing aldo-sugars. Similarly, aldehyde reductase I does not catalyse the reduction of glucuronate while aldehyde reductase II has a high affinity for glucuronate. Both enzymes, however, exhibit strong affinity towards various other aldehydes such as glyceraldehyde, propionaldehyde, and pyridine-3-aldehyde. The pH optima for aldehyde reductases I and II are 6.0 and 7.0, respectively. Aldehyde reductaase I can use both NADH and NADPH as cofactors, whereas aldehyde reductase II activity is dependent on NADPH only. Both enzymes are susceptible to inhibition by sulfhydryl group reagents, aldose reductase inhibitors, lithium sulfate, and sodium chloride to varying degrees.     

Human Brain Aldehyde Reductases: Relationship to Succinic Semialdehyde Reductase and Aldose Reductase

Human brain contains multiple forms of aldehyde-reducing enzymes. One major form (AR3), as previously shown, has properties that indicate its identity with NADPH-dependent aldehyde reductase isolated from brain and other organs of various species; i.e., low molecular weight, use of NADPH as the preferred cofactor, and sensitivity to inhibition by barbiturates. A second form of aldehyde reductase ("SSA reductase") specifically reduces succinic semialdehyde (SSA) to produce gamma-hydroxybutyrate. This enzyme form has a higher molecular weight than AR3, and uses NADH as well as NADPH as cofactor. SSA reductase was not inhibited by pyrazole, oxalate, or barbiturates, and the only effective inhibitor found was the flavonoid quercetine. Although AR3 can also reduce SSA, the relative specificity of SSA reductase may enhance its in vivo role. A third form of human brain aldehyde reductase, AR2, appears to be comparable to aldose reductases characterized in several species, on the basis of its activity pattern with various sugar aldehydes and its response to characteristic inhibitors and activators, as well as kinetic parameters. This enzyme is also the most active in reducing the aldehyde derivatives of biogenic amines. These studies suggest that the various forms of human brain aldehyde reductases may have specific physiological functions.     

Identification of new potent inhibitor of aldose reductase from Ocimum basilicum

Recent efforts to develop cure for chronic diabetic complications have led to the discovery of potent inhibitors against aldose reductase (AKR1B1, EC 1.1.1.21) whose role in diabetes is well-evident. In the present work, two new natural products were isolated from the ariel part of Ocimum basilicum; 7-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methyl-8-β-O-d-glucoside-2H-chromen-2-one (1) and E-4-(6′-hydroxyhex-3′-en-1-yl)phenyl propionate (2) and confirmed their structures with different spectroscopic techniques including NMR spectroscopy etc. The isolated compounds (1, 2) were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory activity against aldose reductase (AKR1B1) and aldehyde reductase (AKR1A1). The natural product (1) showed better inhibitory activity for AKR1B1 with IC₅₀ value of 2.095 ± 0.77 µM compare to standard sorbinil (IC₅₀ = 3.14 ± 0.02 µM). Moreover, the compound (1) also showed multifolds higher activity (IC₅₀ = 0.783 ± 0.07 µM) against AKR1A1 as compared to standard valproic acid (IC₅₀ = 57.4 ± 0.89 µM). However, the natural product (2) showed slightly lower activity for AKR1B1 (IC₅₀ = 4.324 ± 1.25 µM). Moreover, the molecular docking studies of the potent inhibitors were also performed to identify the putative binding modes within the active site of aldose/aldehyde reductases.     

Inhibition of human brain aldose reductase and hexonate dehydrogenase by alrestatin and sorbinil

Abstract: Human brain aldose reductase and hexonate dehydrogenase are inhibited by alrestatin (AY 22,284) and sorbinil (CP 45,634). Inhibition by alrestatin is noncompetitive for both enzymes, and slightly stronger for hexonate dehydrogenase ( K _I values 52-250 μ M ) than for aldose reductase ( K _I values 170-320 μ M ). Sorbinil inhibits hexonate dehydrogenase far more potently than aldose reductase, K _I values being 5 μ M for hexonate dehydrogenase and 150 μ M for aldose reductase. The inhibition of hexonate dehydrogenase by sorbinil is noncompetitive with respect to both aldehyde and NADPH substrates, and is thus kinetically similar to the inhibition by alrestatin. However, sorbinil inhibition of aldose reductase is uncompetitive with respect to glyceraldehyde and noncompetitive with NADPH as the varied substrate. Inhibition of human brain aldose reductase by these two inhibitors is much less potent than that reported for the enzyme from other sources.     

Pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductase: Substrate versatility,enantiospecificity, and kinetic properties

Two western red cedar pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductase (PLR) homologues were studied to determine their enantioselective, substrate versatility, and kinetic properties. PLRs are downstream of dirigent protein engendered, coniferyl alcohol derived, stereoselective coupling to afford entry into the 8- and 8′-linked furofuran lignan, pinoresinol. Our investigations showed that each PLR homolog can enantiospecifically metabolize different furofuran lignans with modified aromatic ring substituents, but where phenolic groups at both C4/C4′ are essential for catalysis. These results are consistent with quinone methide intermediate formation in the PLR active site. Site-directed mutagenesis and kinetic measurements provided additional insight into factors affecting enantioselectivity and kinetic properties. From these data, PLRs can be envisaged to allow for the biotechnological potential of generation of various lignan skeleta, that could be differentially “decorated” on their aromatic ring substituents, via the action of upstream dirigent proteins.     

Redox potentials and kinetic properties of fumarate reductase complex from Vibrio succinogenes

The isolated menaquinol: fumarate oxidoreductase (fumarate reductase complex) from Vibrio succinogenes was investigated with respect to the redox potentials and the kinetic response of the prosthetic groups. The following results were obtained. (1) The redox state of the components was measured as a function of the redox potential established by the fumarate/succinate couple, after freezing of the samples (173 K). From these measurements, the midpoint potential of the [2Fe-2S] cluster (−59 mV), the [4Fe-4S] cluster (−24 mV) and the flavin/flavosemiquinone couple (about −20 mV) was obtained. (2) Potentiometric titration of the enzyme in the presence of electron-mediating chemicals gave, after freezing, apparent midpoint potentials that were 30–100 mV more negative than those found with the fumarate/succinate couple. (3) The rate constants of reduction of the components on the addition of succinate or 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinol were as great as or greater than the corresponding turnover numbers of the enzyme in quinone reduction by succinate or fumarate reduction by the quinol. In the oxidation of the reduced enzyme by fumarate, cytochrome b oxidation was about as fast as the corresponding turnover number of quinol oxidation by fumarate, while the [2Fe-2S] and half of the [4Fe-4S] cluster responded more than 2-times slower. The rate constant of the other half of the 4-Fe cluster was one order of magnitude smaller than the turnover number.     

The NADP-linked aldehyde reductase from Trypanosoma cruzi subcellular localization and some properties

NADP-linked aldehyde reductase (AR; EC 1.1.1.2), partially purified from epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, was able to reduce a number of aldehydes and to oxidize several alcohols; propionaldehyde and n-propanol were the best substrates, at optimal pH values of 7 to 8, and 9 to 9.5, respectively. The AR was inhibited p-chloromercuribenzoate and iodoacetamide, but not by 1,10-phenanthroline or barbital. Digitonin treatment of whole epimastigotes, and distribution and latency in subcellular fractions, indicated that the AR is cytosolic. Like other ARs, the T. cruzi enzyme might be involved in detoxication processes, instead of coenzyme re-oxidation.     

Tetrahydrobiopterin is synthesized from 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin by the human aldo-keto reductase AKR1 family members

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) is a cofactor for aromatic amino acid hydroxylases and nitric oxide synthase. The biosynthesis includes two reduction steps catalyzed by sepiapterin reductase. An intermediate, 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin (PPH(4)) is reduced to 1(')-oxo-2(')-hydroxypropyl-tetrahydropterin (1(')-OXPH(4)) or 1(')-hydroxy-2(')-oxopropyl-tetrahydropterin (2(')-OXPH(4)), which is further converted to BH(4). However, patients with sepiapterin reductase deficiency show normal urinary excretion of pterins without hyperphenylalaninemia, suggesting that other enzymes catalyze the two reduction steps. In this study, the reductase activities for the tetrahydropterin intermediates were examined using several human recombinant enzymes belonging to the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) family and short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) family. In the reduction of PPH(4) by AKR family enzymes, 2(')-OXPH(4) was formed by 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, whereas 1(')-OXPH(4) was produced by aldose reductase, aldehyde reductase, and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and both 1(')-OXPH(4) and 2(')-OXPH(4) were detected as the major and minor products by 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (types 1 and 3). The activities of aldose reductase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (106 and 35 nmol/mg/min, respectively) were higher than those of the other enzymes (0.2-4.0 nmol/mg/min). Among the SDR family enzymes, monomeric carbonyl reductase exhibited low 1(')-OXPH(4)-forming activity of 5.0 nmol/mg/min, but L-xylulose reductase and peroxisomal tetrameric carbonyl reductase did not form any reduced product from PPH(4). Aldose reductase reduced 2(')-OXPH(4) to BH(4), but the other enzymes were inactive towards both 2(')-OXPH(4) and 1(')-OXPH(4). These results indicate that the tetrahydropterin intermediates are natural substrates of the human AKR family enzymes and suggest a novel alternative pathway from PPH(4) to BH(4), in which 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and aldose reductase work in concert.     

Biogenic Aldehyde Metabolism in Rat Brain: Subcellular Distribution of Aldose Reductase and Valproate-Sensitive Aldehyde Reductase

Reductase activity towards two aldose substrates has been examined in subcellular fractions prepared from rat brain. The reduction of glucuronate, which is sensitive to inhibition by the anticonvulsant drug sodium valproate, corresponds to the major high-Km aldehyde reductase in brain. Xylose reduction that is insensitive to valproate inhibition has characteristics consistent with the activity of aldose reductase (EC 1.1.1.21). Both enzymes are predominantly localized in the cytosolic fraction. The significance of the location of these two reductases is discussed in relation to the compartmentation of catecholamine metabolism in brain.     

Methylglyoxal as substrate and inhibitor of human aldehyde dehydrogenase: Comparison of kinetic properties among the three isozymes

Methylglyoxal was demonstrated to be a substrate for the isozymes E1, E2 and E3 of human aldehyde dehydrogenase. Pyruvate was the product from the oxidation of methylglyoxal by the three isozymes. At pH 7.4 and 25^oC, the major and minor components of the E3 isozyme catalyzed the reaction with V_max of 1.1 and 0.8 μmol NADH min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein, respectively, compared to 0.067 and 0.060 μmol NADH min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein for the E1 and E2 isozymes, respectively. The E2 isozyme had a K_m for methylglyoxal of 8.6 μM, the lowest compared to 46 μM for E1 and 586 and 552 μM for the major and minor components of the E3 isozyme, respectively. Both components of the E3 isozyme showed substrate inhibition by methylglyoxal, with K_i values of 2.0 mM for the major component and 12 mM for the minor component at pH 9.0. Substrate inhibition by methylglyoxal was not observed with the E1 and E2 isozymes. Methylglyoxal strongly inhibited the glycolaldehyde activity of the E1 and E2 isozymes. Mixed-type models of inhibition were employed as an approach to calculate the inhibition constants, 44 and 10.6 μM for E1 and E2 isozymes, respectively.     

Benzoxazinone-thiosemicarbazones as antidiabetic leads via aldose reductase inhibition: Synthesis,biological screening and molecular docking study

Aldose reductase is an important enzyme in the polyol pathway, where glucose is converted to fructose, and sorbitol is released. Aldose reductase activity increases in diabetes as the glucose levels increase, resulting in increased sorbitol production. Sorbitol, being less cell permeable tends to accumulate in tissues such as eye lenses, peripheral nerves and glomerulus that are not insulin sensitive. This excessive build-up of sorbitol is responsible for diabetes associated complications such as retinopathy and neuropathy. In continuation of our interest to design and discover potent inhibitors of aldo-keto reductases (AKRs; aldehyde reductase ALR1 or AKR1A, and aldose reductase ALR2 or AKR1B), herein we designed and investigated a series of new benzoxazinone-thiosemicarbazones (3a-r) as ALR2 and ALR1 inhibitors. Most compounds exhibited excellent inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values in lower micro-molar range. Compounds 3b and 3l were found to be most active ALR2 inhibitors with IC₅₀ values of 0.52 ± 0.04 and 0.19 ± 0.03 μM, respectively, both compounds were more effective inhibitors as compared to the standard ALR2 inhibitor (sorbinil, with IC₅₀ value of 3.14 ± 0.02 μM).     

Carboxymethylated pyridoindole antioxidants as aldose reductase inhibitors: Synthesis, activity, partitioning, and molecular modeling

Starting from the efficient hexahydropyridoindole antioxidant stobadine, a series of carboxymethylated tetrahydro- and hexahydropyridoindole derivatives was synthesized and tested for the inhibition of aldose reductase, an enzyme involved in the etiology of diabetic complications. In vitro inhibiton of rat lens aldose reductase was determined by a conventional method. Kinetic analysis of (2-benzyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-yl)-acetic acid (5b) and (2-phenethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-yl)-acetic acid (5c), the most potent compounds in this series with activities in micromolar range, showed uncompetitive inhibition. In addition to the importance of the acidic function, the inhibition efficacy was highly influenced by the steric conformation of the lipophilic aromatic backbone when comparing tetrahydro- and hexahydropyridoindole congeners. Selectivity with respect to the closely related aldehyde reductase was determined by measuring the corresponding inhibitory activities. Antioxidant action of the novel compounds was documented in a DPPH test and in a liposomal membrane model, oxidatively stressed by peroxyl radicals. The presence of a basicity center at the tertiary nitrogen, in addition to the acidic carboxylic function, predisposes these compounds to form double charged zwitterionic species, a characteristic which may remarkably affect their pH-lipophilicity profile. For compounds 5b and 5c, a maximal distribution ratio in a system comprised of 1-octanol/phosphate buffer was recorded near the neutral physiological pH, the region where the isoelectric point lies. Molecular docking simulations into the ALR2 active site performed for the zwitterionic species provided an explanation for the observed structure–activity relationships and the calculated parameters were in agreement with characteristic differences in the stereoelectronic profiles of the tetrahydro- versus hexahydropyridoindoles. ‘Drug-likeness’ of the novel aldose reductase inhibitors was assessed by applying the criteria of Lipinski’s ‘rule of five’.     

Purification, properties, and cellular localization of Euglena ferredoxin-NADP reductase

Ferredoxin-NADP reductase from Euglena gracilis Klebs var. Bacillaris Cori purified to apparent homogeneity, yields a typical 36 kDa and an unusual 15 kDa polypeptide on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, exhibits a typical flavoprotein spectrum, contains FAD, and catalyzes NADPH-dependent iodonitrotetrazolium-violet diaphorase, NADPH-specific ferredoxin-dependent cytochrome-c-550 reductase and NADPH-NAD transhydrogenase activities. Rabbit antibody to the purified FNR blocks these activities specifically and also blocks the iodonitrotetrazolium-violet diaphorase activity of Euglena chloroplasts completely. The low iodonitrotetrazolium-violet diaphorase activity in the plastidless mutant, W₁₀BSmL, is mitochondrial and is not specifically blocked by the ferredoxin-NADP reductase antibody. Dark-grown non-dividing (resting) wild-type Euglena cells show a 4-fold increase in ferredoxin-NADP reductase activity during greening at 970 lx. Half of the low ferredoxin-NADP reductase activity in dark-grown cells is initially soluble, but by the end of chloroplast development nearly all of the enzyme is membrane-bound. The binding of ferredoxin-NADP reductase on exposure to light correlates with the extent of thylakoid membrane formation. Immunoblots of wild-type extracts during greening indicate that the 15 kDa polypeptide increases in the same manner as the extent of reductase binding to thylakoid membranes.     

Synthesis and properties of glutathione reductase in stressed peas

We have subjected peas (Pisum sativum L.) to four different oxidative stresses: cold conditions (4 °C) in conjunction with light, treatment with paraquat, fumigation with ozone, and illumination of etiolated seedlings (greening). In crude extracts of leaves from stressed plants, an increase (up to twofold) in activity of glutathione reductase (GR) was observed which was consistent with previous reports from several laboratories. In all cases, except for ozone fumigation, the increase in activity was not due to an elevation in the steady-state levels of GR protein. None of the applied stresses had any effect on steady-state levels of GR mRNA. In contrast to the small increase in GR activity, the K _m of GR for glutathione disulphide showed a marked decrease when determined for extracts of stressed leaves, compared with that from unstressed plants. This indicates that GR from stressed plants has an increased affinity for glutathione disulphide. The profile of GR activity bands fractionated on non-denaturing acrylamide gels varied for extracts from differently stressed leaves and when compared with GR from unstressed plants. The changes in GR-band profiles and the alteration in the kinetic properties are best explained as changes in the isoform population of pea GR in response to stress.Abbreviations GR glutathione reductase - GSSG glutathione disulphide - Rubisco Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase - RNase A/T1 ribonucleases A and T1 We are grateful to Prof. Alan Wellburn and Dr. Phil Beckett (Division of Biological Sciences, University of Lancaster, UK) for providing ozone-fumigated material and Dr. Jeremy Harbinson for providing material grown at 4° C. This work was supported by a grant-in-aid to the John Innes Institute from the Agricultural and Food Research Council. E.A.E. and C.E. gratefully acknowledge the support of a John Innes Foundation studentship and a European Molecular Biology Organisation Fellowship respectively.     

A novel NADPH-dependent aldehyde reductase, catalyzing asymmetric reduction of ß-keto acid esters, from Sporobolomyces salmonicolor: purification and characterization

Abstract NADPH-dependent aldehyde reductase (EC 1.1.1.2) was purified 23-fold with an overall yield of 11% from Sporobolomyces salmonicolor AKU 4429, in 4 steps and, by adding ammonium sulfate, the enzyme was crystallized. The enzyme has a strict requirement for NADPH and irrversibly reduces a number of aldehydes, such as p -nitrobenzaldehyde, pyridine-3-aldehyde and d -glyceraldehyde. Furthermore, it was found that the enzyme catalyses stereospecific reduction of 4-halo-3-oxobutanoate esters to the corresponding ( R )-4-halo-3-hydroxybutanoate esters, which are promising chiral compounds for the chemical synthesis of l -carnitine.     

Quinazolinone-based rhodanine-3-acetic acids as potent aldose reductase inhibitors: Synthesis,functional evaluation and molecular modeling study

A series of quinazolinone-based rhodanine-3-acetic acids was synthesized and tested for in vitro aldose reductase inhibitory activity. All the target compounds displayed nanomolar activity against the target enzyme. Compounds 3a, 3b, and 3e exhibited almost 3-fold higher activity as compared to the only marketed reference drug epalrestat. Structure-activity relationship studies indicated that bulky substituents at the 3-phenyl ring of the quinazolinone moiety are generally not tolerated in the active site of the enzyme. Insertion of a methoxy group on the central benzylidene ring was found to have a variable effect on ALR-2 activity depending on the nature of peripheral quinazolinone ring substituents. Removal of the acetic acid moiety led to inactive or weakly active target compounds. Docking and molecular dynamic simulations of the most active rhodanine-3-acetic acid derivatives were also carried out, to provide the basis for further structure-guided design of novel inhibitors.     

Properties and tissue distribution of a novel aldo-keto reductase encoding in a rat gene (Akr1b10)

A recent rat genomic sequencing predicts a gene Akr1b10 that encodes a protein with 83% sequence similarity to human aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1B10. In this study, we isolated the cDNA for the rat AKR1B10 (R1B10) from rat brain, and examined the enzymatic properties of the recombinant protein. R1B10 utilized NADPH as the preferable coenzyme, and reduced various aldehydes (including cytotoxic 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal and 4-hydroxy- and 4-oxo-2-nonenals) and α-dicarbonyl compounds (such as methylglyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosone), showing low K_m values of 0.8-6.1 μM and 3.7-67 μM, respectively. The enzyme also reduced glyceraldehyde and tetroses (K_m = 96-390 μM), although hexoses and pentoses were inactive and poor substrates, respectively. Among the substrates, 4-oxo-2-nonenal was most efficiently reduced into 4-oxo-2-nonenol, and its cytotoxicity against bovine endothelial cells was decreased by the overexpression of R1B10. R1B10 showed low sensitivity to aldose reductase inhibitors, and was activated to approximately two folds by valproic acid, and alicyclic and aromatic carboxylic acids. The mRNA for R1B10 was expressed highly in rat brain and heart, and at low levels in other rat tissues and skin fibroblasts. The results suggest that R1B10 functions as a defense system against oxidative stress and glycation in rat tissues.     

Exploring antidiabetic potential of adamantyl-thiosemicarbazones via aldose reductase (ALR2) inhibition

The role of aldose reductase (ALR2) in diabetes mellitus is well-established. Our interest in finding ALR2 inhibitors led us to explore the inhibitory potential of new thiosemicarbazones. In this study, we have synthesized adamantyl-thiosemicarbazones and screened them as aldehyde reductase (ALR1) and aldose reductase (ALR2) inhibitors. The compounds bearing phenyl 3a, 2-methylphenyl 3g and 2,6-dimethylphenyl 3m have been identified as most potent ALR2 inhibitors with IC₅₀ values of 3.99 ± 0.38, 3.55 ± 0.26 and 1.37 ± 0.92 µM, respectively, compared with sorbinil (IC₅₀ = 3.14 ± 0.02 μM). The compounds 3a, 3g, and 3m also inhibit ALR1 with IC₅₀ value of 7.75 ± 0.28, 7.26 ± 0.39 and 7.04 ± 2.23 µM, respectively. Molecular docking was also performed for putative binding of potent inhibitors with target enzyme ALR2. The most potent 2,6-dimethylphenyl bearing thiosemicarbazone 3m (IC₅₀ = 1.37 ± 0.92 µM for ALR2) and other two compound 3a and 3g could potentially lead for the development of new therapeutic agents.