Oxidant-induced mobilization of zinc from metallothionein.

Neutrophils which accumulate at sites of inflammation secrete a number of injurious oxidants which are highly reactive with protein sulfhydryls. The present study examined the possibility that this reactivity with thiols may cause protein damage by mobilizing zinc from cellular metalloproteins in which the metal is bound to cysteine. The ability of the three principal neutrophil oxidants, hypochlorous acid (HOCl), superoxide (.O2-), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), to cleave thiolate bonds and mobilize complexed zinc was compared using two model compounds (2,3-dimercaptopropanol and metallothionein peptide fragment 56-61), as well as metallothionein. With all compounds, 50 microM HOCl caused high rates of Zn2+ mobilization as measured spectrophotometrically with the metallochromic indicator 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol. Xanthine (500 microM) plus xanthine oxidase (30 mU), which produced a similar concentration of .O2-, also effected a rapid rate of Zn2+ mobilization which was inhibited by superoxide dismutase but not catalase, indicating that .O2- is also highly reactive with thiolate bonds. In contrast, H2O2 alone was much less reactive at comparable concentrations. These data suggest that HOCl and .O2- can cause damage to cellular metalloproteins through the mobilization of complexed zinc. In view of the essential role played by zinc in numerous cellular processes, Zn2+ mobilization by neutrophil oxidants may cause significant cellular injury at sites of inflammation.     

The lability of zinc humate species

Abstract

At low pH, interaction between zinc(II) ions and humic acids yields sparingly soluble surface complexes; in alkaline conditions there are soluble complexes which differ in stability, stoichiometry and lability. The distribution of zinc between ‘fixed’, ‘non-labile’ and ‘labile’ complex forms at different pH values has been evaluated by equilibrating Zn-loaded humic acid (20 to 300 nmol μmol^?1) with ion exchange resins of different types (and counter ion forms). Analysis of the supernatant aqueous phase determined the non-labile soluble zinc content (at the equilibrium pH); the ‘labile’ fraction value was found by back-extracting the washed resins into 0.05 M EDTA (pH 7). When the system pH was <6, about 5% was released as a soluble non-labile complex and the majority of the Zn remained firmly fixed to the solid phase. Above pH 6, the substrate dissolved and the percentage present as non-labile species increased from 5 to 70% as the pH changed from 5 to 8.5. Around pH 7, the labile content peaked at around 90%, but this fraction value dropped to ?20% at pH 8.5 (due in part to a lower affinity of zinc for the functional groups on the resin involved). The type of synthetic exchanger used controlled both the system pH and the degree of complex dissociation. The distribution pattern was also influenced by the amount of Zn(II) sorbed on the substrate, the initial weight of humic acid present, and the mixing time (dissolution of the solid phase was slow in acid media). While the ratio of fixed to soluble forms could control migration of the metal ion in environmental systems, it is the labile content which is more likely to be ‘available’ to living matter.     

Reaction of 3-ethoxy-2-oxobutyraldehyde bis(thiosemicarbazonato) Cu(II) with Ehrlich cells. Binding of copper to metallothionein and its relationship to zinc metabolism and cell proliferation

The copper complex of 3-ethoxy-2-oxobutyraldehyde bis(thiosemicarbazone) or CuKTS is reduced and dissociated upon reaction with Ehrlich cells. Titration of the cells with the complex leads to the specific binding of copper to metallothionein with 1 to 1 displacement of its complement of zinc. Under conditions of complete titration of metallothionein, 1.25-2.5 nmol CuKTS/10(7) cells, cellular DNA synthesis is rapidly inhibited but no long term effects on cell proliferation are observed. The kinetics of redistribution of Cu and Zn in Ehrlich cells in culture and in animals were studied after pulse reaction of CuKTS with cells. After exposure of cells to the noncytotoxic concentration of 2.5 nmol of CuKTS/10(7) cells, nonmetallothionein bound copper is lost rapidly from the cells, after which copper in metallothionein decays. New zinc metallothionein is made as soon as exposed cells are placed in culture. New synthesis stops when the level of zinc in metallothionein reaches control levels. A second pulse treatment of cells with CuKTS to displace zinc from metallothionein again stimulates new synthesis of the protein to restore its normal concentration. The kinetics of metal metabolism in Ehrlich cells exposed to 5.5 nmol of CuKTS/10(7) cells, which inhibits cell proliferation, are qualitatively similar except there is a pronounced lag before new zinc metallothionein is synthesized. The Ehrlich ascites tumor in mice responds to CuKTS similarly to cells in culture. It is also shown that cultured Ehrlich cells do not make extra zinc metallothionein in the presence of high levels of ZnCl2, and fail to accumulate copper in the presence of large concentrations of CuCl2.     

Endotoxin-induced zinc accumulation by liver cells is mediated by metallothionein synthesis

Endotoxin induces a decrease in zinc concentration in the serum and an increase in zinc levels in the liver. We have studied whether metallothionein (MT), which is a heavy metal-binding protein, is associated with this phenomenon in vitro. When MT of liver cells is induced by a factor secreted by endotoxin-stimulated macrophages, the cells accumulate zinc from the medium. The temporal accumulation of zinc is correlated with the induction of MT, and the accumulated zinc binds to MT. These results suggest that zinc accumulation by liver cells is mediated by metallothionein produced in response to a macrophage factor, which is elicited by endotoxin.     

Interferonbeta-induced changes in metallothionein expression and subcellular distribution of zinc in HepG2 cells

We evaluated the changes of metallothionein induction and cellular zinc distribution in HepG2 cells by interferonbeta treatment. Immunohistochemical staining of metallothionein was observed in the cytoplasm and nuclei of hepatocytes; which was observed predominantly in the cells treated with interferon and zinc compared to those with zinc alone, interferon alone or the no-treated control. The cellular zinc level was higher in order of the interferon- and zinc-treated cells, the zinc-alone-treated cells, and the interferon-alone-treated cells. Flow cytometry showed that S-phase population increased in interferon-alone-treated cells and interferon- and zinc-treated cells, but not in zinc-alone-treated ones. Cellular elemental distribution was analyzed using in-air micro-particle induced X-ray emission. In zinc-alone-treated sample, X-ray spectra showed good consistency between the enhanced cellular zinc distribution and the phosphorous map. Localizations of bromine followed by interferon treatment were found accompanying a spatial correlation with the phosphorous map. The samples treated with interferon and zinc showed the marked accumulation of zinc and bromine. Discrete bromine accumulation sites were clearly visible with a strong spatial correlation followed by zinc accumulation. These findings suggest that interferonbeta in combination with zinc predominantly induces metallothionein expression in HepG2 cells. In addition, interferonbeta may promote the translocation of metallothionein-bound zinc from cytoplasm to S-phase nuclei.     

金属硫蛋白的表达调控及其与锌的关系

金属硫蛋白是普遍存在于人和动物组织中的一种金属结合蛋白,它属于机体抗氧化系统的一部分．在氧化应激导致的细胞病理改变中具有重要的保护作用。金属硫蛋白可由多种因子诱导产生,而且它与金属锌密切相关,二者之间的平衡对维持机体正常的生理功能起着重要的作用。     

L-lactate transport in Ehrlich ascites-tumour cells.

Ehrlich ascites-tumour cells were investigated with regard to their stability to transport L-lactate by measuring either the distribution of [14C]lactate or concomitant H+ ion movements. The movement of lactate was dependent on the pH difference across the cell membrane and was electroneutral, as evidenced by an observed 1:1 antiport for OH- ions or 1:1 symport with H+ ions. 2. Kinetic experiments showed that lactate transport was saturable, with an apparent Km of approx. 4.68 mM and a Vmax. as high as 680 nmol/min per mg of protein at pH 6.2 and 37 degrees C. 3. Lactate transport exhibited a high temperature dependence (activation energy = 139 kJ/mol). 4. Lactate transport was inhibited competitively by (a) a variety of other substituted monocarboxylic acids (e.g. pyruvate, Ki = 6.3 mM), which were themselves transported, (b) the non-transportable analogues alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (Ki = 0.5 mM), alpha-cyano-3-hydroxycinnamate (Ki = 2mM) and DL-p-hydroxyphenyl-lactate (Ki = 3.6 mM) and (c) the thiol-group reagent mersalyl (Ki = 125 muM). 5. Transport of simple monocarboxylic acids, including acetate and propionate, was insensitive to these inhibitors; they presumably cross the membrane by means of a different mechanism. 6. Experiments using saturating amounts of mersalyl as an "inhibitor stop" allowed measurements of the initial rates of net influx and of net efflux of [14C]lactate. Influx and efflux of lactate were judged to be symmetrical reactions in that they exhibited similar concentration dependence. 7. It is concluded that lactate transport in Ehrlich ascites-tumour cells is mediated by a carrier capable of transporting a number of other substituted monocarboxylic acids, but not unsubstituted short-chain aliphatic acids.     

Augmentation of dexamethasone induction of rat liver metallothionein by zinc.

The induction of liver metallothionein by dexamethasone in adrenalectomized rats was augmented by zinc administration. Metallothionein synthesis was increased in an additive manner with both zinc and dexamethasone compared with either treatment alone. Translational activity of polyribosomal metallothionein mRNA was also greater in zinc + dexamethasone-treated rats. Northern-blot analyses showed that dexamethasone increased these mRNA contents to a greater extent at the lower zinc dose, suggesting that the induction may be maximal at the higher zinc dose when combined with dexamethasone.     

Autoradiographic demonstration of cadmium not bound to metallothionein using 14C-labeled thiazolylazo-naphthol

Summary We describe a new autoradiographic technique for differentially demonstrating the presence of trace amounts of cadmium that remains unbound to metallothionein in tissue sections. This procedure involves [¹⁴C-1,4,5,8--naphthol]-1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol (TAN) instead of a metal radioisotope. Tissue sections were stained using labeled TAN, and were then subjected to routine autoradiographic procedures. The results obtained indicated that the distribution of photographic grains truly reflected the distribution of metallothionein-unbound Cd in the sections. This demonstrates the suitability of this procedure for the differential demonstration of cadmium present in different chemical forms in tissues.     

Autoradiographic demonstration of cadmium not bound to metallothionein using 14C-labeled thiazolylazo-naphthol

We describe a new autoradiographic technique for differentially demonstrating the presence of trace amounts of cadmium that remains unbound to metallothionein in tissue sections. This procedure involves [14C-1,4,5,8-naphthol]-1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol (TAN) instead of a metal radioisotope. Tissue sections were stained using labeled TAN, and were then subjected to routine autoradiographic procedures. The results obtained indicated that the distribution of photographic grains truly reflected the distribution of metallothionein-unbound Cd in the sections. This demonstrates the suitability of this procedure for the differential demonstration of cadmium present in different chemical forms in tissues.     

Insolubilized enzymes. Kinetic behaviour of glucose oxidase bound to porous glass particles

1. The spectrophotometric and steady-state kinetic properties of glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.4, from Aspergillus niger) that is covalently linked to porous glass beads have been examined. These properties have been compared with those of soluble glucose oxidase, for which the kinetic mechanism at pH5.5 and 25 degrees C has been established previously by a combination of conventional and rapid-reaction techniques to be the following: [Formula: see text] where E(o) and E(r) represent oxidized and reduced forms of the enzyme, respectively. 2. The ratio k(+4)/k(+2) is unchanged after insolubilization, and evidence is presented which suggests that the absolute magnitudes of k(+4) and k(+2) are unchanged. 3. The kinetic efficiency of the insolubilized enzyme is greatly enhanced because of a 14-fold increase in the apparent affinity of glucose for E(o). This effect is attributed either to the binding of glucose to the glass surface or to a change in enzyme structure imposed by the insolubilization process. 4. Only 6% of the insolubilized enzyme which can be reduced by glucose is catalytically active. It is shown by calculation and direct experimental evidence that this fraction of catalytically active enzyme is bound to the exterior bead surface. The remaining 94% of the enzyme is bound within the pore network and may be subject to severe substrate diffusion control.     

Control of Ehrlich cell division by zinc

The nutritional requirement for zinc in the proliferation of normal and malignant cells has been demonstrated in a number of animal studies. A distinction is made between the effect of zinc status upon the host during carcinogenesis and tumor growth. The present studies focus on the Ehrlich ascites tumor in mice fed a semipurified zinc-deficient diet along with defined concentration of zinc in the drinking water. This model of zinc deficiency is compared with others in which chelating agents are used to create zinc-deficient conditions or the microorganismEuglena gracilis is examined in a defined zinc-deficient medium. It is reported here that Ehrlich cells remain quiescent for several weeks in severely deficient mice, suggesting their restriction to a G₁ or G₀ state of the cell cycle. The kinetics of thymidine and uridine uptake and incorporation into DNA and RNA in Zn-normal and Zn-deficient tumors is consistent with the inhibition of thymidine kinase and DNA polymerase in the Zn-deprived system, but with little effect on RNA synthesis. The concentration of metabolites of these labeled nucleosides in Ehrlich cells is also consistent with a primary effect upon thymidine kinase. Although the ascites fluid Zn is depressed in Zn deficiency, total cellular zinc and its distribution among cell fractions is not significantly affected. It is suggested that these effects are specific in nature and not the result of a general lack of zinc for zinc metalloproteins and other binding sites in the cell.     

Gram scale purification and preparation of rabbit liver zinc metallothionein.

A simplified procedure for purifying gram quantities of rabbit liver metallothionein (MT) using gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography is presented. The MT purification made use of anion exchange batch elution chromatography which greatly shortened the procedure. Quantitation techniques for use with crude and purified MT are discussed. This paper also describes the preparation of large amounts of ZnMT from Cd,ZnMT.     

Metal-dependent properties of metallothionein. Replacement in vitro of zinc in zinc-thionein with copper.

Metal-dependent changes in the properties of metallothionein were investigated in vitro by replacing Zn2+ in zinc-thionein with Cu+ and Cu2+. Metallothionein was separated into isoproteins on a gel-permeation column by elution with alkaline buffer solution, the separation being due to the dissociation of hydroxy groups in the gel material. The two metals in metallothioneins were detected simultaneously by introducing the eluate of the column, which was attached to a high-pressure liquid chromatograph, to two flame atomic-absorption spectrophotometers. Zn2+ in zinc-thionein was replaced with 1.5 and 1 mol. equiv. of Cu+ and Cu2+ respectively. The replacement with Cu2+ accompanied intramolecular oxidation of thiol groups in metallothioneins and the oxidized metallothioneins showed different chromatographic properties from the original ones, probably due to changes in the isoelectric points. The oxidized forms of metallothionein were reducible by mercaptoethanol. Reduction of Cu2+ to Cu+ followed by the replacement of Zn2+ in zinc-thionein with Cu+ occurred in the presence of glutathione.     

Characteristic induction of 70 000 Da-heat shock protein and metallothionein by zinc in HeLa cells

The synthesis of a 70 000 dalton-heat shock protein (hsp70) is one of several heat shock proteins induced in HeLa cells during the incubation in medium containing zinc sulphate. The synthesis of hsp70 was increased in the presence of 200 M zinc sulphate and above, but not at 100 M zinc sulphate. On the other hand, the synthesis of metallothionein was activated in the presence of 100 M zinc sulphate and above. Uptake of zinc into the cells depended on the concentration of zinc sulphate in the medium. The separation of intracellular zinc into three fractions by gel filtration chromatography; high molecular, metallothionein, and low molecular fractions, showed that zinc in the low molecular weight and metallothionein fractions was elevated in the presence of 100 M zinc sulphate in the medium, whereas increase in the zinc content of the high molecular weight fraction occurred at 200 M zinc sulphate and above. Inhibition of cell growth and cellular protein synthesis was also observed at 200 M zinc sulphate and above, but not at 100 M. From these findings, since the induction of hsp70 synthesis and inhibition of cell growth occurred concomitantly with the increase of zinc in the high and low molecular weight fractions, hsp70 seemed not to function in the detoxification of zinc, but it may participate in the repair of zinc-induced damage.