Sucrose Octasulfate Selectively Accelerates Thrombin Inactivation by Heparin Cofactor II

Inactivation of thrombin (T) by the serpins heparin cofactor II (HCII) and antithrombin (AT) is accelerated by a heparin template between the serpin and thrombin exosite II. Unlike AT, HCII also uses an allosteric interaction of its NH₂-terminal segment with exosite I. Sucrose octasulfate (SOS) accelerated thrombin inactivation by HCII but not AT by 2000-fold. SOS bound to two sites on thrombin, with dissociation constants (K_D) of 10 ± 4 μm and 400 ± 300 μm that were not kinetically resolvable, as evidenced by single hyperbolic SOS concentration dependences of the inactivation rate (k_obs). SOS bound HCII with K_D 1.45 ± 0.30 mm, and this binding was tightened in the T·SOS·HCII complex, characterized by K_complex of ∼0.20 μm. Inactivation data were incompatible with a model solely depending on HCII·SOS but fit an equilibrium linkage model employing T·SOS binding in the pathway to higher order complex formation. Hirudin-(54–65)(SO₃⁻) caused a hyperbolic decrease of the inactivation rates, suggesting partial competitive binding of hirudin-(54–65)(SO₃⁻) and HCII to exosite I. Meizothrombin(des-fragment 1), binding SOS with K_D = 1600 ± 300 μm, and thrombin were inactivated at comparable rates, and an exosite II aptamer had no effect on the inactivation, suggesting limited exosite II involvement. SOS accelerated inactivation of meizothrombin 1000-fold, reflecting the contribution of direct exosite I interaction with HCII. Thrombin generation in plasma was suppressed by SOS, both in HCII-dependent and -independent processes. The ex vivo HCII-dependent process may utilize the proposed model and suggests a potential for oversulfated disaccharides in controlling HCII-regulated thrombin generation.     

COX-2-dependent and -independent biosynthesis of dihydroxy-arachidonic acids in activated human leukocytes

Biosynthesis of 5,15-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5,15-diHETE) in leukocytes involves consecutive oxygenation of arachidonic acid by 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) and 15-LOX in either order. Here, we analyzed the contribution of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 to the biosynthesis of 5,15-diHETE and 5,11-diHETE in isolated human leukocytes activated with lipopolysaccharide and calcium ionophore A23187. Transformation of arachidonic acid was initiated by 5-LOX providing 5S-HETE as a substrate for COX-2 forming 5S,15S-diHETE, 5S,15R-diHETE, and 5S,11R-diHETE as shown by LC/MS and chiral phase HPLC analyses. The levels of 5,15-diHETE were 0.45 ± 0.2 ng/10⁶ cells (mean ± SEM, n = 6), reaching about half the level of LTB₄ (1.3 ± 0.5 ng/10⁶ cells, n = 6). The COX-2 specific inhibitor NS-398 reduced the levels of 5,15-diHETE to below 0.02 ng/10⁶ cells in four of six samples. Similar reduction was achieved by MK-886, an inhibitor of 5-LOX activating protein but the above differences were not statistically significant. Aspirin treatment of the activated cells allowed formation of 5,15-diHETE (0.1 ± 0.05 ng/10⁶ cells, n = 6) but, as expected, abolished formation of 5,11-diHETE. The mixture of activated cells also produced 5S,12S-diHETE with the unusual 6E,8Z,10E double bond configuration, implicating biosynthesis by 5-LOX and 12-LOX activity rather than by hydrolysis of the leukotriene A₄-epoxide. Exogenous octadeuterated 5S-HETE and 15S-HETE were converted to 5,15-diHETE, implicating that multiple oxygenation pathways of arachidonic acid occur in activated leukocytes. The contribution of COX-2 to the biosynthesis of dihydroxylated derivatives of arachidonic acid provides evidence for functional coupling with 5-LOX in activated human leukocytes.     

Phosphatidylethanolamine-esterified Eicosanoids in the Mouse: TISSUE LOCALIZATION AND INFLAMMATION-DEPENDENT FORMATION IN Th-2 DISEASE

In this study, murine peritoneal macrophages from naïve lavage were found to generate four phospholipids that contain 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE). They comprise three plasmalogen and one diacyl phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) (16:0p, 18:1p, 18:0p, and 18:0a at sn-1) and are absent in macrophages from 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LOX)-deficient mice. They are generated acutely in response to calcium mobilization, are primarily cell-associated, and are detected on the outside of the plasma membrane. Levels of 12-HETE-PEs in naïve lavage are in a similar range to those of free 12-HETE (5.5 ± 0.2 ng or 18.5 ± 1.03 ng/lavage for esterified versus free, respectively). In healthy mice, 12/15-LOX-derived 12-HETE-PEs are found in the peritoneal cavity, peritoneal membrane, lymph node, and intestine, with a similar distribution to 12/15-LOX-derived 12-HETE. In vivo generation of 12-HETE-PEs occurs in a Th2-dependent model of murine lung inflammation associated with interleukin-4/interleukin-13 expression. In contrast, in Toll receptor-dependent peritonitis mediated either by live bacteria or bacterial products, 12-HETE-PEs are rapidly cleared during the acute phase then reappear during resolution. The human homolog, 18:0a/15-HETE-PE inhibited human monocyte generation of cytokines in response to lipopolysaccharide. In summary, a new family of lipid mediators generated by murine macrophages during Th2 inflammation are identified and structurally characterized. The studies suggest a new paradigm for lipids generated by 12/15-LOX in inflammation involving formation of esterified eicosanoids.12/15-Lipoxygenase (12/15-LOX)² belongs to a family of lipid-peroxidizing enzymes that catalyze the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids to their corresponding hydroperoxy derivatives (1). They are best known for generation of free acid eicosanoids, comprising positional isomers of hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid, which are subsequently converted into secondary products, including hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE). The human homolog, 15-LOX1, is the most highly induced gene product in response to IL-4/IL-13 suggesting a potential role in Th2-driven immune responses such as autoimmune disease and allergy (2). Indeed, two recent studies indicate that mice deficient in 12/15-LOX are protected against Th2-dependent lung allergic disease (3, 4).Deficiency of 12/15-LOX in peritoneal macrophages (MΦ) alters their in vitro phenotype resulting in decreased IL-4 induction of scavenger receptor CD36, decreased stimulation of IL-12 synthesis by LPS and attenuated phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (5–7). However, the identities of the LOX products that regulate these processes are not clear, because several known products are unable to bypass the requirement for enzyme expression (7–10). Collectively, the studies infer the involvement of further uncharacterized 12/15-LOX products and indicate that the identification of novel lipids derived from this pathway is important.We recently reported that 15-LOX1 could generate 15-HETE-PE in response to calcium ionophore (11). In this study, we characterize generation of similar lipids by murine 12/15-LOX in vitro and in vivo. These new studies extend the previous findings to temporal generation of these lipids in immunologically distinct models of inflammation, as well as identifying potential biological mechanisms of action.     

Environment of TyrZ in photosystem II from Thermosynechococcus elongatus in which PsbA2 is the D1 protein

The main cofactors that determine the photosystem II (PSII) oxygen evolution activity are borne by the D1 and D2 subunits. In the cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus, there are three psbA genes coding for D1. Among the 344 residues constituting D1, there are 21 substitutions between PsbA1 and PsbA3, 31 between PsbA1 and PsbA2, and 27 between PsbA2 and PsbA3. Here, we present the first study of PsbA2-PSII. Using EPR and UV-visible time-resolved absorption spectroscopy, we show that: (i) the time-resolved EPR spectrum of Tyr_Z^• in the (S₃Tyr_Z^•)′ is slightly modified; (ii) the split EPR signal arising from Tyr_Z^• in the (S₂Tyr_Z^•)′ state induced by near-infrared illumination at 4.2 K of the S₃Tyr_Z state is significantly modified; and (iii) the slow phases of P₆₈₀^+⋅ reduction by Tyr_Z are slowed down from the hundreds of μs time range to the ms time range, whereas both the S₁Tyr_Z^• → S₂Tyr_Z and the S₃Tyr_Z^• → S₀Tyr_Z + O₂ transition kinetics remained similar to those in PsbA(1/3)-PSII. These results show that the geometry of the Tyr_Z phenol and its environment, likely the Tyr-O···H···Nϵ-His bonding, are modified in PsbA2-PSII when compared with PsbA(1/3)-PSII. They also point to the dynamics of the proton-coupled electron transfer processes associated with the oxidation of Tyr_Z being affected. From sequence comparison, we propose that the C144P and P173M substitutions in PsbA2-PSII versus PsbA(1/3)-PSII, respectively located upstream of the α-helix bearing Tyr_Z and between the two α-helices bearing Tyr_Z and its hydrogen-bonded partner, His-190, are responsible for these changes.     

Arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase in human corneal epithelium and 12- and 15-lipoxygenases in bovine corneal epithelium: Comparison with other bovine 12-lipoxygenase

Lipoxygenases of bovine and human corneal epithelia were investigated. The bovine epithelium contained an arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase and a 15-lipoxygenase. The 12-lipoxygenase was found in the microsomal fraction, while the 15-lipoxygenase was mainly present in the cytosol (100 000 × g supernatant). 12S-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12S-HETE) and 15S-hydroxyeicosa-tetraenoic acid (15S-HETE) were identified by GC-MS and chiral HPLC. BW A4C, an acetohydroxamic acid lipoxygenase inhibitor, reduced the biosynthesis of 12S-HETE and 15S-HETE by over 90% at 10 μ M. IC₅₀ for the 12-lipoxygenase was 0.3 μM. The bovine corneal 12-lipoxygenase was compared with the 12-lipoxygenases of bovine platelets and leukocytes. All three enzymes metabolized ¹⁴C-labelled linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid poorly (5–16%) in comparison with [^l4C]arachidonic acid. [¹⁴C]Docosahexaenoic acid and [¹⁴C]4,7,10,13,16-docosapentaenoic acid appeared to be less efficiently converted by the corneal enzyme than by the platelet and leukocyte enzymes. Immunohistochemical analysis of the bovine corneal epithelium using a polyconal antibody against porcine leukocyte 12-lipoxygenase gave positive staining. The cytosol of human corneal epithelium converted [¹⁴C]arachidonic acid to one prominent metabolite. The product co-chromatographed with 15S-HETE on reverse phase HPLC, straight phase HPLC and chiral HPLC. Our results suggest that human corneal epithelium contains a 15-lipoxygenase and that bovine corneal epithelium contains both a 15-lipoxygenase and a 12-lipoxygenase. The corneal 12-lipoxygenase appears to differ catalytically from earlier described bovine 12-lipoxygenases.     

Cerebrospinal Fluid Steroidomics: Are Bioactive Bile Acids Present in Brain?

In this study we have profiled the free sterol content of cerebrospinal fluid by a combination of charge tagging and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Surprisingly, the most abundant cholesterol metabolites were found to be C₂₇ and C₂₄ intermediates of the bile acid biosynthetic pathways with structures corresponding to 7α-hydroxy-3-oxocholest-4-en-26-oic acid (7.170 ± 2.826 ng/ml, mean ± S.D., six subjects), 3β-hydroxycholest-5-en-26-oic acid (0.416 ± 0.193 ng/ml), 7α,x-dihydroxy-3-oxocholest-4-en-26-oic acid (1.330 ± 0.543 ng/ml), and 7α-hydroxy-3-oxochol-4-en-24-oic acid (0.172 ± 0.085 ng/ml), and the C₂₆ sterol 7α-hydroxy-26-norcholest-4-ene-3,x-dione (0.204 ± 0.083 ng/ml), where x is an oxygen atom either on the CD rings or more likely on the C-17 side chain. The ability of intermediates of the bile acid biosynthetic pathways to activate the liver X receptors (LXRs) and the farnesoid X receptor was also evaluated. The acidic cholesterol metabolites 3β-hydroxycholest-5-en-26-oic acid and 3β,7α-dihydroxycholest-5-en-26-oic acid were found to activate LXR in a luciferase assay, but the major metabolite identified in this study, i.e. 7α-hydroxy-3-oxocholest-4-en-26-oic acid, was not an LXR ligand. 7α-Hydroxy-3-oxocholest-4-en-26-oic acid is formed from 3β,7α-dihydroxycholest-5-en-26-oic acid in a reaction catalyzed by 3β-hydroxy-Δ⁵-C₂₇-steroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B7), which may thus represent a deactivation pathway of LXR ligands in brain. Significantly, LXR activation has been found to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer disease (Fan, J., Donkin, J., and Wellington C. (2009) Biofactors 35, 239–248); thus, cholesterol metabolites may play an important role in the etiology of Alzheimer disease.     

A 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal-derived glutathione adduct from 15-lipoxygenase-1-mediated oxidation of cytosolic and esterified arachidonic acid

15(S)-Hydroperoxy-[5Z,8Z,11Z,13E]-eicosatetraenoic acid (15(S)-HpETE) undergoes homolytic decomposition to bifunctional electrophiles such as 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal. 4-Oxo-2(E)-nonenal reacts with glutathione to form a thiadiazabicyclo-4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal–glutathione adduct (TOG). Therefore, this endogenous glutathione adduct can serve as a specific biomarker of lipid hydroperoxide-mediated 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal formation. A monocyte/macrophage cell line was generated to constitutively express human 15-lipoxygenase-1. In these cells, TOG was formed from 15(S)-HpETE-derived 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal in a nonlinear dose-dependent manner upon arachidonic acid treatment. The lipoxygenase inhibitor cinnamyl-3,4-dihydroxy-α-cyanocinnamate abolished arachidonic acid-mediated TOG formation. The calcium ionophore A23187 was also used to induce the formation of 15(S)-HpETE from esterified arachidonic acid present in the membrane lipids. In the 15-lipoxygenase-1-expressing cells, the calcium ionophore A23187 significantly increased TOG levels compared with mock-transfected cells. This was due to the 15-lipoxygenase-mediated formation of 15(S)-HpETE in the forms of free fatty acid and esterified lipids, which was subsequently converted to 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal. The increase in TOG formation was again abrogated by pretreatment with cinnamyl-3,4-dihydroxy-α-cyanocinnamate. Only 8.7% 15(S)-HETE (both the free fatty acid and its esterified form in the cell membrane) was formed after ionophore A23187 stimulation compared with that formed after the addition of arachidonic acid. In contrast, the TOG levels after treatment with ionophore A23187 or arachidonic acid were comparable. Thus, it is likely that esterified 15(S)-HpETE underwent homolytic decomposition to 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal more efficiently than the free 15(S)-HpETE that was formed in the cytosol.     

Thermodynamic analysis of F1‐ATPase rotary catalysis using high‐speed imaging

F₁-ATPase (F₁) is a rotary motor protein fueled by ATP hydrolysis. Although the mechanism for coupling rotation and catalysis has been well studied, the molecular details of individual reaction steps remain elusive. In this study, we performed high-speed imaging of F₁ rotation at various temperatures using the total internal reflection dark-field (TIRDF) illumination system, which allows resolution of the F₁ catalytic reaction into elementary reaction steps with a high temporal resolution of 72 µs. At a high concentration of ATP, F₁ rotation comprised distinct 80° and 40° substeps. The 80° substep, which exhibited significant temperature dependence, is triggered by the temperature-sensitive reaction, whereas the 40° substep is triggered by ATP hydrolysis and the release of inorganic phosphate (P_i). Then, we conducted Arrhenius analysis of the reaction rates to obtain the thermodynamic parameters for individual reaction steps, that is, ATP binding, ATP hydrolysis, P_i release, and TS reaction. Although all reaction steps exhibited similar activation free energy values, ΔG^‡ = 53–56 kJ mol⁻¹, the contributions of the enthalpy (ΔH^‡), and entropy (ΔS^‡) terms were significantly different; the reaction steps that induce tight subunit packing, for example, ATP binding and TS reaction, showed high positive values of both ΔH^‡ and ΔS^‡. The results may reflect modulation of the excluded volume as a function of subunit packing tightness at individual reaction steps, leading to a gain or loss in water entropy.     

M?ssbauer spectroscopy of the nitrogenase proteins from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Structural assignments and mechanistic conclusions

The Mo–Fe protein and the Fe protein which together constitute the nitrogenase of Klebsiella pneumoniae were prepared from bacteria grown in ⁵⁷Fe-enriched medium. The Mössbauer spectrum of the Mo–Fe protein, as isolated in the presence of Na₂S₂O₄, showed that the protein contained three iron species, called M4, M5 and M6. The area of the spectrum associated with species M4, with δ=0.65mm/s and ΔE=3.05mm/s at 4.2°K, corresponded to two iron atoms/molecule of protein and it is interpreted as being due to a high-spin ferrous, spin-coupled pair of iron atoms. The iron atoms of species M4 may be involved in the quaternary structure of the protein. Species M5, with δ=0.61mm/s and ΔE=0.83mm/s at 77°K, corresponded to eight iron atoms/molecule of protein and is interpreted as being due to Fe₄S₄ or Fe₂S₂ low-spin ferrous iron clusters. Species M6, with δ=0.37mm/s and ΔE=0.71mm/s at 77°K, also corresponded to eight iron atoms/molecule of protein and, at 4.2°K, became a broad shallow absorption, characteristic of magnetic hyperfine interaction. Oxidation of the Mo–Fe protein with the redox dye Lauth''s Violet did not affect the activity of the protein but changed species M4, M5 and M6 into the species M1 (δ=0.37mm/s, ΔE=0.75mm/s at 77°K, broad magnetic component at 4.2°K) and M2 (δ=0.35mm/s, ΔE=0.9mm/s at 4.2°K). In the presence of the Fe protein, Na₂S₂O₄, ATP and Mg²⁺, the M6 component of the Mo–Fe protein was replaced by species M7 with δ=0.46mm/s, ΔE=1.04mm/s at 4.2°K. The change in Mössbauer parameters associated with the M6 → M7 transformation was very similar to the change observed on reduction of the high-potential Fe protein from Chromatium vinosum. In contrast, Na₂S₂O₄-reduced Fe protein contained only one type of iron cluster (F4). Species F4 had δ=0.50mm/s, ΔE=0.9mm/s at 195°K, and at 4.2°K broadened in a manner characteristic of a magnetic hyperfine interaction, associated with half-integral spin, equally distributed over all four atoms of the Fe protein. The Mössbauer spectra of the Mo–Fe and the Fe protein under argon were unaffected by the reducible substrates N₂ and C₂H₂ and the inhibitor CO in the presence of ATP, Mg²⁺ and Na₂S₂O₄. A number of Mössbauer spectral species associated with inactivated Mo–Fe and Fe proteins are described and discussed.     

Characterization of the kinetic and thermodynamic landscape of RNA folding using a novel application of isothermal titration calorimetry

A novel isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) method was applied to investigate RNA helical packing driven by the GAAA tetraloop–receptor interaction in magnesium and potassium solutions. Both the kinetics and thermodynamics were obtained in individual ITC experiments, and analysis of the kinetic data over a range of temperatures provided Arrhenius activation energies (ΔH^‡) and Eyring transition state entropies (ΔS^‡). The resulting rich dataset reveals strongly contrasting kinetic and thermodynamic profiles for this RNA folding system when stabilized by potassium versus magnesium. In potassium, association is highly exothermic (ΔH_25°C = −41.6 ± 1.2 kcal/mol in 150 mM KCl) and the transition state is enthalpically barrierless (ΔH^‡ = −0.6 ± 0.5). These parameters are sigificantly positively shifted in magnesium (ΔH_25°C = −20.5 ± 2.1 kcal/mol, ΔH^‡ = 7.3 ± 2.2 kcal/mol in 0.5 mM MgCl₂). Mixed salt solutions approximating physiological conditions exhibit an intermediate thermodynamic character. The cation-dependent thermodynamic landscape may reflect either a salt-dependent unbound receptor conformation, or alternatively and more generally, it may reflect a small per-cation enthalpic penalty associated with folding-coupled magnesium uptake.     

Inhibitory action of soluble elastin on thromboxane B2 formation in blood platelets

Soluble elastin, prepared from insoluble elastin by treatment with oxalic acid or elastase, was found to inhibit the formation of thromboxane B₂ both from [1-¹⁴C]arachidonic acid added to washed platelets and from [1-¹⁴C]arachidonic acid in prelabeled platelets on stimulation with thrombin. In both systems, the formation of 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) was accelerated. Oxalic acid-treated soluble elastin st 1 and 10 mg/ml inhibited the formation of thromboxane B₂ from exogenously supplied arachidonic acid 21 and 59%, respectively, and the formation of thromboxane B₂ in prelabeled platelets stimulated by thrombin 44 and 94%, respectively. These concentrations of elastin increased the formation of 12-HETE from exogenously supplied arachidonic acid about 3.4- and 7.3-times, respectively. Almost all the added arachidonic acid was converted to metabolites. In prelabeled platelets, soluble elastin at 1 and 10 mg/ml increased the formation of 12-HETE stimulated by thrombin about 1.3- and 2.8-times, respectively, and inhibited the thrombin-induced total productions of thromboxane B₂ (12-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (12-HETE) and free arachidonic acid by 26 and 25%, respectively. Elastase-treated digested elastin also inhibited the formation of thromboxane B₂ and stimulated the formation of 12-HETE in prelabeled platelets stimulated by thrombin. This inhibitory action of elastin was not replaced by desmosine. The level of cAMP in platelets was not affected by soluble elastin. Soluble elastin was also found to inhibit platelet aggregation induced by thrombin. However, the inhibitory action of soluble elastin on platelet aggregation cannot be explained by inhibition of thromboxane B₂ formation by the elastin.     

The platelet P2Y12 receptor under normal and pathological conditions. Assessment with the radiolabeled selective antagonist [3H]PSB-0413

Various radioligands have been used to characterize and quantify the platelet P2Y₁₂ receptor, which share several weaknesses: (a) they are metabolically unstable and substrates for ectoenzymes, (b) they are agonists, and (c) they do not discriminate between P2Y₁ and P2Y₁₂. We used the [³H]PSB-0413 selective P2Y₁₂ receptor antagonist radioligand to reevaluate the number of P2Y₁₂ receptors in intact platelets and in membrane preparations. Studies in humans showed that: (1) [³H]PSB-0413 bound to 425 ± 50 sites/platelet (K_D = 3.3 ± 0.6 nM), (2) 0.5 ± 0.2 pmol [³H]PSB-0413 bound to 1 mg protein of platelet membranes (K_D = 6.5 ± 3.6 nM), and (3) competition studies confirmed the known features of P2Y₁₂, with the expected rank order of potency: AR-C69931MX > 2MeSADP ≫ ADPβS > ADP, while the P2Y₁ ligand MRS2179 and the P2X₁ ligand α,β-Met-ATP did not displace [³H]PSB-0413 binding. Patients with severe P2Y₁₂ deficiency displayed virtually no binding of [³H]PSB-0413 to intact platelets, while a patient with a dysfunctional P2Y₁₂ receptor had normal binding. Studies in mice showed that: (1) [³H]PSB-0413 bound to 634 ± 87 sites/platelet (K_D = 14 ± 4.5 nM) and (2) 0.7 pmol ± 0.3 [³H]PSB-0413 bound to 1 mg protein of platelet membranes (K_D = 9.1 ± 5.3 nM). Clopidogrel and other thiol reagents like pCMBS or DTT abolished the binding both to intact platelets and membrane preparations. Therefore, [³H]PSB-0413 is an accurate and selective tool for radioligand binding studies aimed at quantifying P2Y₁₂ receptors, to identify patients with P2Y₁₂ deficiencies or quantify the effect of P2Y₁₂ targeting drugs.     

Chymase-dependent generation of angiotensin II from angiotensin-(1-12) in human atrial tissue

Since angiotensin-(1-12) [Ang-(1-12)] is a non-renin dependent alternate precursor for the generation of cardiac Ang peptides in rat tissue, we investigated the metabolism of Ang-(1-12) by plasma membranes (PM) isolated from human atrial appendage tissue from nine patients undergoing cardiac surgery for primary control of atrial fibrillation (MAZE surgical procedure). PM was incubated with highly purified ¹²⁵I-Ang-(1-12) at 37°C for 1 h with or without renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors [lisinopril for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"SCH39370","term_id":"1052735772","term_text":"SCH39370"}}SCH39370 for neprilysin (NEP), MLN-4760 for ACE2 and chymostatin for chymase; 50 µM each]. ¹²⁵I-Ang peptide fractions were identified by HPLC coupled to an inline γ-detector. In the absence of all RAS inhibitor, ¹²⁵I-Ang-(1-12) was converted into Ang I (2±2%), Ang II (69±21%), Ang-(1-7) (5±2%), and Ang-(1-4) (2±1%). In the absence of all RAS inhibitor, only 22±10% of ¹²⁵I-Ang-(1-12) was unmetabolized, whereas, in the presence of the all RAS inhibitors, 98±7% of ¹²⁵I-Ang-(1-12) remained intact. The relative contribution of selective inhibition of ACE and chymase enzyme showed that ¹²⁵I-Ang-(1-12) was primarily converted into Ang II (65±18%) by chymase while its hydrolysis into Ang II by ACE was significantly lower or undetectable. The activity of individual enzyme was calculated based on the amount of Ang II formation. These results showed very high chymase-mediated Ang II formation (28±3.1 fmol×min⁻¹×mg⁻¹, n = 9) from ¹²⁵I-Ang-(1-12) and very low or undetectable Ang II formation by ACE (1.1±0.2 fmol×min⁻¹×mg⁻¹). Paralleling these findings, these tissues showed significant content of chymase protein that by immunocytochemistry were primarily localized in atrial cardiac myocytes. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time in human cardiac tissue a dominant role of cardiac chymase in the formation of Ang II from Ang-(1-12).     

Proper Fatty Acid Composition Rather than an Ionizable Lipid Amine Is Required for Full Transport Function of Lactose Permease from Escherichia coli

Energy-dependent uphill transport but not energy-independent downhill transport by lactose permease (LacY) is impaired when expressed in Escherichia coli cells or reconstituted in liposomes lacking phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and containing only anionic phospholipids. The absence of PE results in inversion of the N-terminal half and misfolding of periplasmic domain P7, which are required for uphill transport of substrates. Replacement of PE in vitro by lipids with no net charge (phosphatidylcholine (PC), monoglucosyl diacylglycerol (GlcDAG), or diglucosyl diacylglycerol (GlcGlcDAG)) supported wild type transmembrane topology of the N-terminal half of LacY. The restoration of uphill transport in vitro was dependent on LacY native topology and proper folding of P7. Support of uphill transport by net neutral lipids in vitro (PE > PC ≫ GlcDAG ≠ GlcGlcDAG provided that PE or PC contained one saturated fatty acid) paralleled the results observed previously in vivo (PE = PC > GlcDAG ≠ GlcGlcDAG). Therefore, a free amino group is not required for uphill transport as previously concluded based on the lack of in vitro uphill transport when fully unsaturated PC replaced E. coli-derived PE. A close correlation was observed in vivo and in vitro between the ability of LacY to carry out uphill transport, the native conformation of P7, and the lipid headgroup and fatty acid composition. Therefore, the headgroup and the fatty acid composition of lipids are important for defining LacY topological organization and catalytically important structural features, further illustrating the direct role of lipids, independent of other cellular factors, in defining membrane protein structure/function.     

Specificity of RSG-1.2 peptide binding to RRE-IIB RNA element of HIV-1 over Rev peptide is mainly enthalpic in origin

Rev is an essential HIV-1 regulatory protein which binds to the Rev responsive element (RRE) present within the env gene of HIV-1 RNA genome. This binding facilitates the transport of the RNA to the cytoplasm, which in turn triggers the switch between viral latency and active viral replication. Essential components of this complex have been localized to a minimal arginine rich Rev peptide and stem IIB region of RRE. A synthetic peptide known as RSG-1.2 binds with high binding affinity and specificity to the RRE-IIB than the Rev peptide, however the thermodynamic basis of this specificity has not yet been addressed. The present study aims to probe the thermodynamic origin of this specificity of RSG-1.2 over Rev Peptide for RRE-IIB. The temperature dependent melting studies show that RSG-1.2 binding stabilizes the RRE structure significantly (ΔT _m = 4.3°C), in contrast to Rev binding. Interestingly the thermodynamic signatures of the binding have also been found to be different for both the peptides. At pH 7.5, RSG-1.2 binds RRE-IIB with a K_a = 16.2±0.6×10⁷ M⁻¹ where enthalpic change ΔH = −13.9±0.1 kcal/mol is the main driving force with limited unfavorable contribution from entropic change TΔS = −2.8±0.1 kcal/mol. A large part of ΔH may be due to specific stacking between U72 and Arg15. In contrast binding of Rev (K_a = 3.1±0.4×10⁷ M⁻¹) is driven mainly by entropy (ΔH = 0 kcal/mol and TΔS = 10.2±0.2 kcal/mol) which arises from major conformational changes in the RNA upon binding.     

Vascular Endothelial Tight Junctions and Barrier Function Are Disrupted by 15(S)-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid Partly via Protein Kinase C?-mediated Zona Occludens-1 Phosphorylation at Threonine 770/772

Disruption of tight junctions (TJs) perturbs endothelial barrier function and promotes inflammation. Previously, we have shown that 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15(S)-HETE), the major 15-lipoxygenase 1 (15-LO1) metabolite of arachidonic acid, by stimulating zona occludens (ZO)-2 tyrosine phosphorylation and its dissociation from claudins 1/5, induces endothelial TJ disruption and its barrier dysfunction. Here, we have studied the role of serine/threonine phosphorylation of TJ proteins in 15(S)-HETE-induced endothelial TJ disruption and its barrier dysfunction. We found that 15(S)-HETE enhances ZO-1 phosphorylation at Thr-770/772 residues via PKCϵ-mediated MEK1-ERK1/2 activation, causing ZO-1 dissociation from occludin, disrupting endothelial TJs and its barrier function, and promoting monocyte transmigration; these effects were reversed by T770A/T772A mutations. In the arteries of WT mice ex vivo, 15(S)-HETE also induced ZO-1 phosphorylation and endothelial TJ disruption in a PKCϵ and MEK1-ERK1/2-dependent manner. In line with these observations, in WT mice high fat diet feeding induced 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LO) expression in the endothelium and caused disruption of its TJs and barrier function. However, in 12/15-LO^−/− mice, high fat diet feeding did not cause disruption of endothelial TJs and barrier function. These observations suggest that the 12/15-LO-12/15(S)-HETE axis, in addition to tyrosine phosphorylation of ZO-2, also stimulates threonine phosphorylation of ZO-1 in the mediation of endothelial TJ disruption and its barrier dysfunction.     

Synthesis of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (HETEs) and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) by cultured bovine coronary artery endothelial cells

Endothelial cells release several factors which influence vascular tone, leukocyte function and platelet aggregation. Some of these factors are metabolites of arachidonic acid, most notably prostacyclin. However, many of the endothelial metabolites of arachidonic acid have not been positively identified. The purpose of these studies is to identify the arachidonic acid metabolites synthesized by bovine coronary endothelial cells. Cultured bovine coronary artery endothelial cells were incubated with [ ¹⁴C]arachidonic acid. The incubation media was extracted and the radioactive metabolites resolved by a combination of reverse phase- and normal phase-high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The cells synthesized 6-keto prostaglandin (PG)F_1α, PGE₂, 12-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid (HHT), 12-, 15-, and 11- hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETE), and 14,15-, 11,12-, 8,9-, and 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET). Several of the HETEs were further analyzed by chiral-phase HPLC. The cells synthesized predominately 12(S)-, 15(S)-, and 11(R)-HETE. The synthesis of the S optical isomers of 12- and 15-HETE suggested that the 12- and 15-lipoxygenases were present in these cells. 11(R)-HETE is probably derived from cyclooxygenase. They also synthesized smaller amounts of 9-, 8- and 5-HETEs. The structures of the HETEs and EETs were confirmed by mass spectrometry. The release of 6-keto PGF_1α and 15-HETE was measured by specific radioimmunoassays. Melittin, thrombin, arachidonic acid and A23187 stimulated the release of both eicosanoids in a concentration-related matter. Under all conditions, the release of 6-keto PGF_1α exceed the release of 15-HETE. Therefore, cultured bovine coronary artery endothelial cells synthesize cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and cytochrome P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid.     

Suppression of Adipocyte Differentiation by Aldo-keto Reductase 1B3 Acting as Prostaglandin F2�� Synthase

Prostaglandin (PG) F_2α suppresses adipocyte differentiation by inhibiting the function of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ. However, PGF_2α synthase (PGFS) in adipocytes remains to be identified. Here, we studied the expression of members of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1B family acting as PGFS during adipogenesis of mouse 3T3-L1 cells. AKR1B3 mRNA was expressed in preadipocytes, and its level increased about 4-fold at day 1 after initiation of adipocyte differentiation, and then quickly decreased the following day to a level lower than that in the preadipocytes. In contrast, the mRNA levels of Akr1b8 and 1b10 were clearly lower than that level of Akr1b3 in preadipocytes and remained unchanged during adipogenesis. The transient increase in Akr1b3 during adipogenesis was also observed by Western blot analysis. The mRNA for the FP receptor, which is selective for PGF_2α, was also expressed in preadipocytes. Its level increased about 2-fold within 1 h after the initiation of adipocyte differentiation and was maintained at almost the same level throughout adipocyte differentiation. The small interfering RNA for Akr1b3, but not for Akr1b8 or 1b10, suppressed PGF_2α production and enhanced the expression of adipogenic genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, fatty acid-binding protein 4 (aP2), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase. Moreover, an FP receptor agonist, Fluprostenol, suppressed the expression of those adipogenic genes in 3T3-L1 cells; whereas an FP receptor antagonist, AL-8810, efficiently inhibited the suppression of adipogenesis caused by the endogenous PGF_2α. These results indicate that AKR1B3 acts as the PGFS in adipocytes and that AKR1B3-produced PGF_2α suppressed adipocyte differentiation by acting through FP receptors.