Oxidation of human haemoglobin by copper. Mechanism and suggested role of the thiol group of residue beta-93.

Addition of Cu(II) ions to human oxyhaemoglobin caused the rapid oxidation of the haem groups of the beta-chain. Oxidation required binding of Cu(II) to sites involving the thiol group of beta-93 residues and was prevented when these groups were blocked with iodoacetamide or N-ethylmaleimide. Equilibrium-dialysis studies showed three pairs of binding sites, two pairs with high affinity for Cu(II) and one pair with lower affinity. It was the second pair of high-affinity sites that were blocked with iodoacetamide and were involved in haem oxidation. Cu(II) oxidized deoxyhaemoglobin at least ten times as fast as oxyhaemoglobin, and analysis of rates suggested that binding rather than electron transfer was the rate-determining step. No thiol-group oxidation to disulphides occurred during the period of haem oxidation, although it did occur subsequently in the presence of oxygen, or when Cu(II) was added to methaemoglobin. It is proposed that thiol oxidation did not occur because there exists a pathway of electron transfer between the haem group and copper bound to the beta-93 thiol groups. The route for this electron transfer is discussed, as well as the implications as to the function of the beta-93 cysteine in the haemoglobin molecule.     

A modeling study of the interaction and electron transfer between cytochrome b 5 and some oxidized haemoglobins

Using Brownian motion simulations we have studied the formation of docked complexes of reduced cytochrome b5 and oxidized haemoglobin. Our results indicate that the presence of molecular electrostatic fields has a significant role to play in the formation of these complexes. In contrast to previous modeling studies on this system, we clearly identify electron transfer within an ensemble of similarly docked complexes rather than the formation of a single complex. Docking involves a number of acidic residues surrounding the exposed haem edge of cytochrome b5 and a set of basic residues surrounding the exposed haem edge of the globins. Although amino acids from the partner globin proteins are involved to a small extent in the binding of some of the complexes, the reactivity of any particular globin is essentially independent of the nature of its partner globin chain within the haemoglobin molecule. Comparison of results from adult and embryonic haemoglobins indicates a significant difference in complex formation. Application of electron tunneling analysis to the complexes allows us to predict the rates of electron transfer within each ensemble of complexes. These data provide a theoretical insight into the important process of re-reduction of oxidized haemoglobins as well as explaining the general inability to produce crystalline forms of many docked electron transfer complexes.     

Transferrin-bipyridine iron transfer mediated by haemoproteins

Rabbit reticulocyte cytosol was able to mediate transferrin-bipyridine iron transfer in the presence of ATP. The cytoplasmic factor responsible for the mediation of iron transfer was identified as haemoglobin. Other cytoplasmic proteins and the membrane fraction were ineffective. Human α and β subunits and human myoglobin were over three times more effective than human haemoglobin A. Carbon monoxide strongly inhibited the mediation of iron transfer. Oxidation of haemoglobin abolished it but methaemoglobin could be reactivated with NADH, even when azide was bound to the haem iron.Neither globin nor haem alone were able to mediate iron transfer, even when NADH was present. Together, the reconstituted methaemoglobin A could be reactivated with NADH.Although the physiological significance of this phenomenon is not clear, the involvement of haemoproteins in intracellular iron metabolism seems likely.     

Comparing the catalytic efficiency of some mediators of laccase

The mechanism of oxidation of non-phenolic substrates by laccase/mediators systems has been investigated. Oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol (1), taken as a benchmark reaction, enabled us to compare and to rank the relative ability of twelve mediators: TEMPO proved most effective, and a ionic mechanism is suggested for its action. Data on intermolecular selectivity of substrate oxidation are in favour of an electron transfer (ET) mechanism in the case of ABTS-mediated oxidations, and of a radical mechanism in HBT- and HPI-mediated reactions. Investigation by cyclic voltammetry (CV) of some of the mediators revealed that an important role in determining the mechanism of substrate oxidation may be played by the stability of the oxidised form of the mediator, as well as by its redox potential.     

Electron transfer between cytochrome b(5) and some oxidised haemoglobins: the role of ionic strength

We have compared experimental measurements and Brownian dynamic calculations for the reduction of oxidised adult human haemoglobin by reduced bovine cytochrome b(5) over a range of ionic strengths. Our calculations suggest that the presence of molecular electrostatic fields have a significant role to play in the formation of the electron transfer complexes. These results predict that electron transfer occurs within an ensemble of similarly weakly docked complexes, the formation of which is strongly ionic strength dependent. Application of electron tunneling analysis to the complexes allows us to predict the rates of electron transfer within each ensemble of complexes as a function of ionic strength. The outcome of this theoretical study is compared with experimental rate measurements. A comparison of the results obtained from adult and embryonic haemoglobins, at a fixed ionic strength, indicates a significant difference in the characteristics of complex formation. These data emphasise the role played by electrostatic interactions in this important physiological reaction.     

Vanadate-stimulated NADH oxidation by xanthine oxidase: an intrinsic property

Vanadate-dependent oxidation of NADH by xanthine oxidase does not require the presence of xanthine and therefore is not due to cooxidation. Addition of NADH or xanthine had no effect on the oxidation of the other substrate. Oxidation of NADH was high at acid pH and oxidation of xanthine was high at alkaline pH. The specific activity was relatively very high with NADH. Concentration-dependent oxidation of NADH Concentration-dependent oxidation of NADH was obtained in the presence of the polymeric form of vanadate, but not orthovanadate or metavanadate. Both NADH and NADPH were oxidized, as in the nonenzymatic system. Oxidation of NADH, but not xanthine, was inhibited by KCN, ascorbate, MnCl2, cytochrome c, mannitol, Tris, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and triiodothyronine. Oxidation of NADH was accompanied by uptake of oxygen and generation of H2O2 with a stoichiometry of 1:1:1 for NADH:O2:H2O2. A 240-nm-absorbing species was formed during the reaction which was different from H2O2 or superoxide. A mechanism of NADH oxidation is suggested wherein Vv and O2 receive one electron each successively from NADH followed by VIV giving the second electron to superoxide and reducing it to H2O2.     

Oxene transfer, electron abstraction, and cooxidation in the epoxidation of stilbene and 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene by hemoglobin

Hemoglobin plus H2O2 oxidizes trans-stilbene to trans-stilbene oxide, cis-stilbene to cis- and trans-stilbene oxide, and trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene to anti-trans-7,8,9,10-tetrahydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene. Oxidation of cis- and trans-stilbene to the corresponding cis- and trans-epoxides proceeds exclusively with incorporation of oxygen from the peroxide. Oxidation of cis-stilbene to the trans-epoxide, however, proceeds without detectable incorporation of oxygen from the peroxide and partial incorporation of oxygen from O2. The epoxidations in which stereochemistry is conserved thus appear to involve ferryl oxygen transfer, whereas the epoxidations in which stereochemistry is inverted are proposed to involve protein-mediated cooxidation [Ortiz de Montellano, P.R., & Catalano, C.E. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 9265-9271] and possibly electron abstraction-water addition. The epoxidation of trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene incorporates oxygen from H2O2 and H2O but not O2. The oxidation of this substrate is thus consistent with ferryl oxygen transfer and electron abstraction but not protein-mediated cooxidation.     

Haptoglobin phenotypes differ in their ability to inhibit heme transfer from hemoglobin to LDL

LDL oxidation plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis. Excellular hemoglobin (Hb) is a trigger of LDL oxidation. By virtue of its ability to bind hemoglobin, haptoglobin (Hp) serves as an antioxidant. Oxidation of LDL by hemoglobin was analyzed to occur by heme displacement from methemoglobin lodged in LDL. The LDL-associated heme is disintegrated, and iron inserted this way in LDL triggers formation of lipid peroxides. The genetic polymorphism of haptoglobin was found to be a risk factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Individuals with Hp2-2 have more vascular incidences as compared to those with Hp1-1. In the current study, oxidation of LDL by metHb was carried out at physiological pH without addition of external peroxides. Hb-derived oxidation of lipids and protein was found to be practically inhibited by Hp1-1 but only partially by Hp2-2. Heme transfer from metHb to LDL was almost completely omitted by Hp1-1 and only partially by Hp2-2. We concluded that partial heme transfer from the Hb-Hp2-2 complex to LDL is the reason for oxidation of LDL lipids as well as protein. These findings provide a molecular basis for Hp2-2 atherogenic properties.     

Catalysis of iron core formation in Pyrococcus furiosus ferritin

The hollow sphere-shaped 24-meric ferritin can store large amounts of iron as a ferrihydrite-like mineral core. In all subunits of homomeric ferritins and in catalytically active subunits of heteromeric ferritins a diiron binding site is found that is commonly addressed as the ferroxidase center (FC). The FC is involved in the catalytic Fe(II) oxidation by the protein; however, structural differences among different ferritins may be linked to different mechanisms of iron oxidation. Non-heme ferritins are generally believed to operate by the so-called substrate FC model in which the FC cycles by filling with Fe(II), oxidizing the iron, and donating labile Fe(III)–O–Fe(III) units to the cavity. In contrast, the heme-containing bacterial ferritin from Escherichia coli has been proposed to carry a stable FC that indirectly catalyzes Fe(II) oxidation by electron transfer from a core that oxidizes Fe(II). Here, we put forth yet another mechanism for the non-heme archaeal 24-meric ferritin from Pyrococcus furiosus in which a stable iron-containing FC acts as a catalytic center for the oxidation of Fe(II), which is subsequently transferred to a core that is not involved in Fe(II)-oxidation catalysis. The proposal is based on optical spectroscopy and steady-state kinetic measurements of iron oxidation and dioxygen consumption by apoferritin and by ferritin preloaded with different amounts of iron. Oxidation of the first 48 Fe(II) added to apoferritin is spectrally and kinetically different from subsequent iron oxidation and this is interpreted to reflect FC building followed by FC-catalyzed core formation.     

Aniline hydroxylase activities of haemoglobin: Kinetics and mechanism

The mechanism of the aniline hydroxylase activity of methaemoglobin in a monooxygenase system consisting of NADH as electron donor, riboflavin, FAD, FMN or methylene blue as electron carrier and methaemoglobin as the terminal oxidase has been studied. Hydrogen peroxide is produced from oxygen in a methaemoglobin-independent process. 4-Aminophenol is subsequently produced peroxidatively by an NADH-dependent process; NADH prevents a further oxidation of 4-aminophenol in the presence of haemoglobin. In the absence of electron carrier, NADH slowly reduces haemoglobin and then oxyhaemoglobin reacts with aniline to give 4-aminophenol. In the absence of electron donor and electron carrier, oxyhaemoglobin and aniline give rise to the reversible production of 4-aminophenol.     

Purification of a reconstitutively active iron-sulfur protein (oxidation factor) from succinate . cytochrome c reductase complex of bovine heart mitochondria.

Oxidation factor, a protein required for electron transfer from succinate to cytochrome c in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, has been purified from isolated succinate . cytochrome c reductase complex. Purification of the protein has been followed by a reconstitution assay in which restoration of ubiquinol . cytochrome c reductase activity is proportional to the amount of oxidation factor added back to depleted reductase complex. The purified protein is a homogeneous polypeptide on acrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate and migrates with an apparent Mr = 24,500. Purified oxidation factor restores succinate . cytochrome c reductase and ubiquinol . cytochrome c reductase activities to depleted reductase complex. It is not required for succinate dehydrogenase nor for succinate . ubiquinone reductase activities of the reconstituted reductase complex. Oxidation factor co-electrophoreses with the iron-sulfur protein polypeptide of ubiquinol . cytochrome c reductase complex. The purified protein contains 56 nmol of nonheme iron and 36 nmol of acid-labile sulfide/mg of protein and possesses an EPR spectrum with the characteristic "g = 1.90" signal identical to that of the iron-sulfur protein of the cytochrome b . c1 complex. In addition, the optimal conditions for extraction of oxidation factor, including reduction with hydrosulfite and treatment of the b . c1 complex with antimycin, are identical to those which facilitate extraction of the iron-sulfur protein from the b . c1 complex. These results indicate that oxidation factor is a reconstitutively active form of the iron-sulfur protein of the cytochrome b . c1 complex first discovered by Rieske and co-workers (Rieske, J.S., Maclennan, D.H., and Coleman, R. (1964) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 15, 338-344) and thus demonstrate that this iron-sulfur protein is required for electron transfer from ubiquinol to cytochrome c in the mitochondrial respiratory chain.     

Pulse-radiolysis studies of 8-methoxypsoralen.

Both eaq- and .OH have been found to react with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), giving rate-constants of 1.1 X 10(10) M-1 s-1. Transient spectra of products from the reactions of eaq-, .OH with 8-MOP have been characterized. Rate-constants for the oxidation by 8-MOP of reduced and oxidized DNA bases have also been measured and found to lie in the range 3-6 X 10(9) M-1 s-1. Oxidation of reduced bases occurs by electron transfer with 100 per cent efficiency in all cases. However, for oxidized bases, only approximately 25 per cent of the intermediate yield produced by OH attack undergoes electron transfer; the balance of the oxidized base appears to form adducts with 8-MOP.     

Electron transfer between soluble and immobilized mammalian cytochrome c. Equilibrium and kinetic studies on immobilized cytochrome c.

Horse heart cytochrome c was covalently bound to Sepharose 4B and its redox properties were measured under various experimental conditions. The equilibrium constant for the electron exchange between the oxidized and the reduced form of cytochrome c when one of the two forms was in the semi-solid state and the other one in solution was close to 1. Matrix-bound ferrocytochrome c is very stable to autoxidation and is not oxidized by O2 even in the presence of mammalian cytochrome oxidase. Oxidation occurs if catalytic amounts of soluble cytochrome c are added to the reaction mixture. The rate of oxidation of matrix-bound ferrocytochrome c in the presence of cytochrome oxidase and catalytic amounts of soluble cytochrome c may be correlated with the rate of electron transfer between soluble and matrix-bound cytochrome c. This rate is more than two orders of magnitude lower than that reported for the homonuclear (between identical species) electron transfer in solution.     

Toxicity of myoglobin and haemoglobin: oxidative stress in patients with rhabdomyolysis and subarachnoid haemorrhage

Haemolytic events, such as those following rhabdomyolysis and subarachnoid haemorrhage, often result in pathological complications such as vasoconstriction. Haem-protein cross-linked myoglobin and haemoglobin are generated by ferric-ferryl redox cycling, and thus can be used as markers of oxidative stress. We have found haem-protein cross-linked myoglobin in the urine of patients suffering from rhabdomyolysis and haem-protein cross-linked haemoglobin in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients following subarachnoid haemorrhage. These findings provide strong evidence that these respiratory haem proteins can be involved in powerful oxidation processes in vivo. We have previously proposed that these oxidation processes in rhabdomyolysis include the formation of potent vasoconstrictor molecules, generated by the myoglobin-catalysed oxidation of membranes, inducing nephrotoxicity and renal failure. Haem-protein cross-linked haemoglobin in cerebrospinal fluid suggests that a similar mechanism of lipid oxidation is present and that this may provide a mechanistic basis for the delayed vasospasm that follows subarachnoid haemorrhage.     

Regeneration of the nicotinamide cofactor using a mediator-free electrochemical method with a tin oxide electrode

Tin (IV) oxide was made using an anodization and annealing method and was used as a working electrode in an electrochemical cofactor regeneration reaction. This material was formed with a large surface area, and by changing the preparation conditions, it was possible to control the morphology. Tin oxide has redox properties similar to those of frequently used mediators required for electron transfer between cofactors and an electrode. Therefore, by using tin oxide as a novel electrode, mediator-free electrochemical cofactor regeneration may be possible. Oxidation and reduction of the nicotinamide cofactors, NAD(P)H and NAD(P)⁺, were carried out under various reaction conditions. The results showed a high efficiency for oxidizing NADH over a broad range of pH and temperatures. The oxidation tendency of NADPH was also observed, and it demonstrated a similar reaction tendency as NADH. When using a tin oxide electrode, NAD⁺ was readily reduced to NADH, though the efficiency of this reaction was lower than for NADH oxidation. Oxidation of 2-propanol to acetone was used as a model system using alcohol dehydrogenase and the cofactor regeneration system suggested in this study. The electroenzymatic reaction showed efficient regeneration of NADP⁺ without a mediator.     

Rates of reduced cytochrome c-ferricyanide binding and electron transfer.

The oxidation of reduced cytochrome c by ferricyanide has been studied over a wide range of ferricyanide concentrations using a continuous-flow apparatus. The formation of a ferrocytochrome c-ferricyanide complex has been demonstrated and the binding and electron transfer processes separated to give both the oxidation electron transfer rate and the binding rate parameters. The electron transfer rate has been found to be 1.86 . 10(3) s-1 in H2O buffer and 1.36 . 10(3) s-1 in 2H2O demonstrating that a deuterium isotope effect of similar magnitude (R = 1.37) to that found in the cytochrome reactions in photosynthetic bacteria [18] is also found in the reaction studied here. The binding association rate parameters also show a similar deuterium isotope effect suggesting that water rotation may be involved in both the binding of ferricyanide to reduced cytochrome c and the subsequent oxidation electron transfer.     

Redox activity at the surface of oat root cells

Electron transport activity at the cell surface of intact oat seedlings (Avena sativa L. cv Garry) was examined by measuring the oxidation and/or reduction of agents in the medium bathing the roots. Oxidation of NADH with or without added electron acceptors and reduction of ferricyanide by an endogenous electron donor were detected. The activities appear to be due to electron transfer at, or across, the plasma membrane and not due to reagent uptake or leakage of oxidants or reductants. NADH-ferricyanide oxidoreductase activity was also detected in plasma membrane-enriched preparations from Avena roots. Based on redox responses to pH, various ions, and to a variety of electron donors and acceptors, the results indicate that more than one electron transport system is present at the plasma membrane.     

An assessment of growth yields and energy coupling inDesulfovibrio

The yield coefficients forDesulfovibrio vulgaris andD. gigas varied with the electron donoracceptor combinations and with the bacterial strain. The only evidence for electron transport coupled formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was with sulfate as the electron acceptor. WithD. vulgaris the ATP formation coupling to electron flow with pyruvate oxidation was 1:4 electrons and with lactate oxidation was 1:8 electrons. WithD. gigas these ratios were 1:8 electrons and 1:16 electrons for the oxidation of pyruvate and lactate. The clearest resolution of energy coupling was withD. vulgaris growing on formatesulfate medium where 2 ATP appear to be formed with the transfer of electrons from formate to adenosine phosphosulfate and one ATP with the transfer of electrons from formate to sulfite.     

Reactions of Adriamycin with haemoglobin. Superoxide dismutase indirectly inhibits reactions of the Adriamycin semiquinone.

The Adriamycin semiquinone produced by the reaction of xanthine oxidase and xanthine with Adriamycin has been shown to reduce both methaemoglobin and cytochrome c. In air, but not N2, both reactions were inhibited by superoxide dismutase. With cytochrome c, superoxide formed by the rapid reaction of the semiquinone with O2, was responsible for the reduction. However, even in air, methaemoglobin was reduced directly by the Adriamycin semiquinone. Superoxide dismutase inhibited this reaction by removing superoxide and hence the semiquinone by displacing the equilibrium: Semiquinone + O2 in equilibrium or formed from quinone + O2-. to the right. This ability to inhibit indirectly reactions of the semiquinone could have wider implications for the protection given by superoxide dismutase against the cytotoxicity of Adriamycin. Oxidation of haemoglobin by Adriamycin has been shown to be initiated by a reversible reaction between the drug and oxyhaemoglobin, producing methaemoglobin and the Adriamycin semiquinone. Reaction of the semiquinone with O2 gives superoxide and H2O2, which can also react with haemoglobin. Catalase, by preventing this reaction of H2O2, inhibits oxidation of oxyhaemoglobin. Superoxide dismutase, however, accelerates oxidation, by inhibiting the reaction of the semiquinone with methaemoglobin by the mechanism described above. Although superoxide dismutase has a detrimental effect on haemoglobin oxidation, it may protect the red cell against more damaging reactions of the Adriamycin semiquinone.     

First synthesis of a polysaccharide-supported lignin model compound and study of its oxidation promoted by lignin peroxidase

Veratrylchitosan, a polysaccharide-supported lignin model compound, has been synthesised by covalently attaching 3-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyloxy)propionic acid to the polysaccharide chitosan through an amide linkage. When this polymer was used as a substrate in the oxidation promoted by lignin peroxidase (LiP), significant decomposition of the lignin model resulted in the formation of veratraldehyde. The oxidation mechanism involves an initial transfer of one electron from chitosan to the active species of LiP (LiP I) followed by C(alpha)-H deprotonation of an aromatic cation radical. A benzylic radical is then formed which is further oxidised to a benzyl cation. Reaction with water and hydrolysis of the hemiacetal then lead to veratraldehyde formation. An increase in the yields of the oxidation product is observed in the presence of the mediator 2-chloro-1,4-dimethoxybenzene, thus indicating that a more efficient degradation results from the transfer of an electron from the polymer to the radical cation of the mediator.