Impairment of the activity of the xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes arylamine N-acetyltransferases 1 and 2 (NAT1/NAT2) by peroxynitrite in mouse skeletal muscle cells

Reactive nitrogen species and their by-products, such as peroxynitrite, modulate many physiological functions of skeletal muscle. Peroxynitrite generation occuring under specific conditions, such as inflammation, may also lead to skeletal muscle dysfunction and pathologies. Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) involved in the detoxification and/or metabolic activation of several drugs and chemicals. In addition to other XMEs, such as gluthatione S-transferases or cytochromes P450, NAT enzymes are expressed in skeletal muscle. We show here that functional NAT1 and NAT2 isoforms are expressed in mouse myotubes and that peroxynitrite may impair their activity in these cells. We show that this inactivation is likely due to the irreversible modification of NATs catalytic cysteine residue in vivo. Our results suggest that peroxynitrite-dependent inactivation of muscle XMEs such as NATs may contribute to muscle dysfunction by impairing the biotransformation activity of this key cellular defense enzyme system.     

Reversible inhibition of the human xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 by S-nitrosothiols

Human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) is a polymorphic phase II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme which catalyzes the biotransformation of primary aromatic amines, hydrazine drugs, and carcinogens. Structural and functional studies have shown that the NAT1 and factor XIII transglutaminase catalytic pockets are structurally related with the existence of a conserved catalytic triad (Cys-His-Asp). In addition, it has been reported that factor XIII transglutaminase activity could be regulated by nitric oxide (NO), in particular S-nitrosothiols (RSNO). We thus tested whether NAT1 could be a target of S-nitrosothiols. We show here that human NAT1 is reversibly inactivated by S-nitrosothiols such as SNAP (S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine). A second-order rate constant for the inactivation of NAT1 by SNAP was determined (k(inact)=270M(-1)min(-1)) and shown to be in the same range of values reported for other enzymes. The inhibition of NAT1 by S-nitrosothiols was reversed by dithiothreitol and reduced glutathione, but not by ascorbate. As reported for some reactive cysteine-containing enzymes, our results suggest that inactivation of NAT1 by S-nitrosothiols is due to direct attack of the highly reactive cysteine residue in the enzyme active site on the sulfur of S-nitrosothiols to form a mixed disulfide between these NO-derived oxidants and NAT1. Finally, our findings suggest that, in addition to the polymorphic-dependent variation of NAT1 activity, NO-derived oxidants, in particular S-nitrosothiols, could also regulate NAT1 activity.     

Peroxynitrite irreversibly inactivates the human xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) in human breast cancer cells: a cellular and mechanistic study

Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) play an important role in the detoxification and metabolic activation of a variety of aromatic xenobiotics, including numerous carcinogens. Both of the human isoforms, NAT1 and NAT2, display interindividual variations, and associations between NAT genotypes and cancer risk have been established. Contrary to NAT2, NAT1 has a ubiquitous tissue distribution and has been shown to be expressed in cancer cells. Given that the activity of NAT1 depends on a reactive cysteine that can be a target for oxidants, we studied whether peroxynitrite, a highly reactive nitrogen species involved in human carcinogenesis, could inhibit the activity of endogenous NAT1 in MCF7 breast cancer cells. We show here that exposure of MCF7 cells to physiological concentrations of peroxynitrite and to a peroxynitrite generator (3-morpholinosydnonimine N-ethylcarbamide, or SIN1) leads to the irreversible inactivation of NAT1 in cells. Further kinetic and mechanistic analyses using recombinant NAT1 showed that the enzyme is rapidly (k(inact) = 5 x 10(4) m(-1).s(-1)) and irreversibly inactivated by peroxynitrite. This inactivation is due to oxidative modification of the catalytic cysteine. We conclude that the reducing cellular environment of MCF7 cells does not sufficiently protect NAT1 from peroxynitrite-dependent inactivation and that only high concentrations of reduced glutathione could significantly protect NAT1. Thus, cellular generation of peroxynitrite may contribute to carcinogenesis and tumor progression by weakening key cellular defense enzymes such as NAT1.     

A cysteine residue near the propionate side chain of heme is the radical site in ascorbate peroxidase

The radical scavenger 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy (TEMPO(*)) and the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) were used in conjunction with mass spectrometry to identify the protein-based radical sites of the H(2)O(2)-tolerant ascorbate peroxidase (APX) of the red alga Galdieria partita and the H(2)O(2)-sensitive stromal APX of tobacco. A cysteine residue in the vicinity of the propionate side chain of heme in both enzymes was labeled with TEMPO(*) and DMPO in an H(2)O(2)-dependent manner, indicating that these cysteine residues form thiyl radicals through interaction of APX with H(2)O(2). TEMPO(*) bound to the cysteine thiyl radicals, and sulfinylated and sulfonylated them. Other oxidized cysteine residues were found in both APXs. Experiments with a cysteine-to-serine point mutation showed that formation of TEMPO adducts and subsequent oxidation of the cysteine residue located near the propionate group of heme leads to loss of enzyme activity, in particular in the Galdieria APX. When treated with glutathione and H(2)O(2), both cysteine residues in both enzymes were glutathionylated. These results suggest that, under oxidative stress in vivo, cysteine oxidation is involved in the inactivation of APXs in addition to the proposed H(2)O(2)-mediated crosslinking of heme to the distal tryptophan residue [Kitajima S, Shimaoka T, Kurioka M & Yokota A (2007) FEBS J274, 3013-3020], and that glutathione protects APX from irreversible oxidation of the cysteine thiol and loss of enzyme activity by binding to the cysteine thiol group.     

Hydrogen peroxide induces association between glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and phospholipase D2 to facilitate phospholipase D2 activation in PC12 cells

Oxidative stress or signaling is widely implicated in apoptosis, ischemia and mitogenesis. Previously, our group reported that the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-dependent activation of phospholipase D2 (PLD2) in PC12 cells is involved in anti-apoptotic effect. However, the precise mechanism of PLD2 activation by H2O2 was not revealed. To find H2O2-dependent PLD2-regulating proteins, we immunoprecipitated PLD2 from PC12 cells and found that glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) coimmunoprecipitated with PLD2 upon H2O2 treatment. This interaction was found to be direct by in vitro reconstitution of purified GAPDH and PLD2. In vitro studies also indicated that PLD2-associated GAPDH was modified on its reactive cysteine residues. Koningic acid, an alkylator of GAPDH on catalytic cysteine residue, also increased interaction between the two proteins in vitro and enhanced PLD2 activity in PC12 cells. Blocking H2O2-dependent modification of GAPDH with 3-aminobenzamide resulted in the inhibition of the GAPDH/PLD2 interaction and attenuated H2O2-induced PLD2 activation in PC12 cells. From the results, we suggest that H2O2 modifies GAPDH on its catalytic cysteine residue not only to inactivate the dehydrogenase activity of GAPDH but also to endow GAPDH with the ability to bind PLD2 and the resulting association is involved in the regulation of PLD2 activity by H2O2.     

Mononuclear iron enzymes are primary targets of hydrogen peroxide stress

This study tested whether nonredox metalloenzymes are commonly charged with iron in vivo and are primary targets of oxidative stress because of it. Indeed, three sample mononuclear enzymes, peptide deformylase, threonine dehydrogenase, and cytosine deaminase, were rapidly damaged by micromolar hydrogen peroxide in vitro and in live Escherichia coli. The first two enzymes use a cysteine residue to coordinate the catalytic metal atom; it was quantitatively oxidized by the radical generated by the Fenton reaction. Because oxidized cysteine can be repaired by cellular reductants, the effect was to avoid irreversible damage to other active-site residues. Nevertheless, protracted H(2)O(2) exposure gradually inactivated these enzymes, consistent with the overoxidation of the cysteine residue to sulfinic or sulfonic forms. During H(2)O(2) stress, E. coli defended all three proteins by inducing MntH, a manganese importer, and Dps, an iron-sequestration protein. These proteins appeared to collaborate in replacing the iron atom with nonoxidizable manganese. The implication is that mononuclear metalloproteins are common targets of H(2)O(2) and that both structural and metabolic arrangements exist to protect them.     

Glutamate synthase. Properties of the glutamine-dependent activity.

Properties of glutamine-dependent glutamate synthase have been investigated using homogeneous enzyme from Escherichia coli K-12. In contrast to results with enzyme from E. coli strain B (Miller, R. E., and Stadtman, E. R. (1972) J. Biol. Chem. 247, 7407-7419), this enzyme catalyzes NH3-dependent glutamate synthase activity. Selective inactivation of glutamine-dependent activity was obtained by treatment with the glutamine analog. L-2-amino-4-oxo-5-chloropentanoic acid (chloroketone). Inactivation by chloroketone exhibited saturation kinetics; glutamine reduced the rate of inactivation and exhibited competitive kinetics. Iodoacetamide, other alpha-halocarbonyl compounds, and sulfhydryl reagents gave similar selective inactivation of glutamine-dependent activity. Saturation kinetics were not obtained for inactivation by iodoacetamide but protection by glutamine exhibited competitive kinetics. The stoichiometry for alkylation by chloroketone and iodoacetamide was approximately 1 residue per protomer of molecular weight approximately 188,000. The single residue alkylated with iodo [1-14C]acetamide was identified as cysteine by isolation of S-carboxymethylcysteine. This active site cysteine is in the large subunit of molecular weight approximately 153,000. The active site cysteine was sensitive to oxidation by H2O2 generated by autooxidation of reduced flavin and resulted in selective inactivation of glutamine-dependent enzyme activity. Similar to other glutamine amidotransferases, glutamate synthase exhibits glutaminase activity. Glutaminase activity is dependent upon the functional integrity of the active site cysteine but is not wholly dependent upon the flavin and non-heme iron. Collectively, these results demonstrate that glutamate synthase is similar to other glutamine amidotransferases with respect to distinct sites for glutamine and NH3 utilization and in the obligatory function of an active site cysteine residue for glutamine utilization.     

Substrate-assisted cysteine deprotonation in the mechanism of dimethylargininase (DDAH) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The enzyme dimethylargininase (also known as dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase or DDAH; EC 3.5.3.18) catalyzes the hydrolysis of endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, N(omega)-methyl-l-arginine and N(omega),N(omega)-dimethyl-l-arginine. Understanding the mechanism and regulation of DDAH activity is important for developing ways to control nitric oxide production during angiogenesis and in many cases of vascular endothelial pathobiology. Several possible physiological regulation mechanisms of DDAH depend upon the presence of an active-site cysteine residue, Cys249 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) DDAH, which is proposed to serve as a nucleophile in the catalytic mechanism. Through the use of pH-dependent ultraviolet and visible (UV-vis) difference spectroscopy and inactivation kinetics, the pK(a) of the active-site Cys249 in the resting enzyme was found to be unperturbed from pK(a) values of typical noncatalytic cysteine residues. In contrast, the pH dependence of k(cat) values indicates a much lower apparent pK(a) value. UV-vis difference spectroscopy between wild-type and C249S DDAH shows absorbance changes consistent with Cys249 deprotonation to the anionic thiolate upon binding positively charged ligands. The proton from Cys249 is lost either to the solvent or to an unidentified general base. A mutation of the active-site histidine residue, H162G, does not eliminate cysteine nucleophilicity, further arguing against a pre-formed ion pair with Cys249. Finally, UV-vis and X-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed that inhibitory metal ions can bind at these two active-site residues, Cys249 and His162, and also stabilize the anionic form of Cys249. These results support a proposed substrate-assisted mechanism for Pa DDAH in which ligand binding modulates the reactivity of the active-site cysteine.     

Two vicinal cysteines confer a peculiar redox regulation to low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase in response to platelet-derived growth factor receptor stimulation.

Low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) is an enzyme involved in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced mitogenesis and cytoskeleton rearrangement because it is able to bind and dephosphorylate the activated receptor. LMW-PTP presents two cysteines in positions 12 and 17, both belonging to the catalytic pocket; this is a unique feature of LMW-PTP among all protein tyrosine phosphatases. Our previous results demonstrated that in vitro LMW-PTP is oxidized by either H(2)O(2) or nitric oxide with the formation of a disulfide bond between Cys-12 and Cys-17. This oxidation leads to reversible enzyme inactivation because treatment with reductants permits catalytic activity rescue. In the present study we investigated the in vivo inactivation of LMW-PTP by either extracellularly or intracellularly generated H(2)O(2), evaluating its action directly on its natural substrate, PDGF receptor. LMW-PTP is oxidized and inactivated by exogenous oxidative stress and recovers its activity after oxidant removal. LMW-PTP is oxidized also during PDGF signaling, very likely upon PDGF-induced H(2)O(2) production, and recovers its activity within 40 min. Our results strongly suggest that reversibility of in vivo LMW-PTP oxidation is glutathione-dependent. In addition, we propose an intriguing and peculiar role of Cys-17 in the formation of a S-S intramolecular bond, which protects the catalytic Cys-12 from further and irreversible oxidation. On the basis of our results we propose that the presence of an additional cysteine near the catalytic cysteine could confer to LMW-PTP the ability to rapidly recover its activity and finely regulate PDGF receptor activation during both extracellularly and intracellularly generated oxidative stress.     

Chemical modification of lysine residues at active-site of human placental estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase

Estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.62.) activity was decreased by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonate (TNBS), a reagent for modification of epsilon-amino moiety of lysine residues in a protein. The inactivation exhibited pseudo-first-order kinetics, and was protected by oxidyzed cofactors. Stoichiometric studies showed that the complete inactivation was caused by modification of one lysine residue per molecule of the enzyme. Differential modification with 5,5'-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), TNBS and dithiothreitol (DTT) indicated that the residues of lysine and cysteine were located at the active-site and played an essential role in the catalytic function of the estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase.     

Inactivation of calcineurin by hydrogen peroxide and phenylarsine oxide. Evidence for a dithiol-disulfide equilibrium and implications for redox regulation.

Calcineurin (CaN) is a Ca2+-and calmodulin (CaM)-dependent serine/threonine phosphatase containing a dinuclear Fe-Zn center in the active site. Recent studies have indicated that CaN is a possible candidate for redox regulation. The inactivation of bovine brain CaN and of the catalytic CaN A-subunit from Dictyostelium by the vicinal dithiol reagents phenylarsine oxide (PAO) and melarsen oxide (MEL) and by H2O2 was investigated. PAO and MEL inhibited CaN with an IC50 of 3-8 microM and the inactivation was reversed by 2, 3-dimercapto-1-propane sulfonic acid. The treatment of isolated CaN with hydrogen peroxide resulted in a concentration-dependent inactivation. Analysis of the free thiol content performed on the H2O2 inactivated enzyme demonstrated that only two or three of the 14 Cys residues in CaN are modified. The inactivation of CaN by H2O2 could be reversed with 1,4-dithiothreitol and with the dithiol oxidoreductase thioredoxin. We propose that a bridging of two closely spaced Cys residues in the catalytic CaN A-subunit by PAO/MEL or the oxidative formation of a disulfide bridge by H2O2 involving the same Cys residues causes the inactivation. Our data implicate a possible involvement of thioredoxin in the redox control of CaN activity under physiological conditions. The low temperature EPR spectrum of the native enzyme was consistent with a Fe3+-Zn2+ dinuclear centre. Upon H2O2-mediated inactivation of the enzyme no significant changes in the EPR spectrum were observed ruling out that Fe2+ is present in the active enzyme and that the dinuclear metal centre is the target for the oxidative inactivation of CaN.     

Probing the mechanism of hamster arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 acetylation by active site modification, site-directed mutagenesis, and pre-steady state and steady state kinetic studies

Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) catalyze an acetyl group transfer from acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) to arylamines, hydrazines, and their N-hydroxylated arylamine metabolites. The recently determined three-dimensional structures of prokaryotic NATs have revealed a cysteine protease-like Cys-His-Asp catalytic triad, which resides in a deep and hydrophobic pocket. This catalytic triad is strictly conserved across all known NATs, including hamster NAT2 (Cys-68, His-107, and Asp-122). Treatment of NAT2 with either iodoacetamide (IAM) or bromoacetamide (BAM) at neutral pH rapidly inactivated the enzyme with second-order rate constants of 802.7 +/- 4.0 and 426.9 +/- 21.0 M(-1) s(-1), respectively. MALDI-TOF and ESI mass spectral analysis established that Cys-68 is the only site of alkylation by IAM. Unlike the case for cysteine proteases, no significant inactivation was observed with either iodoacetic acid (IAA) or bromoacetic acid (BAA). Pre-steady state and steady state kinetic analysis with p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA) and NAT2 revealed a single-exponential curve for the acetylation step with a second-order rate constant of (1.4 +/- 0.05) x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1), followed by a slow linear rate of (7.85 +/- 0.65) x 10(-3) s(-1) for the deacetylation step. Studies of the pH dependence of the rate of inactivation with IAM and the rate of acetylation with PNPA revealed similar pK(a)(1) values of 5.23 +/- 0.09 and 5.16 +/- 0.04, respectively, and pK(a)(2) values of 6.95 +/- 0.27 and 6.79 +/- 0.25, respectively. Both rates reached their maximum values at pH 6.4 and decreased by only 30% at pH 9.0. Kinetic studies in the presence of D(2)O revealed a large inverse solvent isotope effect on both inactivation and acetylation of NAT2 [k(H)(inact)/k(D)(inact) = 0.65 +/- 0.02 and (k(2)/K(m)(acetyl))(H)/(k(2)/K(m)(acetyl))(D) = 0.60 +/- 0.03], which were found to be identical to the fractionation factors (Phi) derived from proton inventory studies of the rate of acetylation at pL 6.4 and 8.0. Substitution of the catalytic triad Asp-122 with either alanine or asparagine resulted in the complete loss of protein structural integrity and catalytic activity. From these results, it can be concluded that the catalytic mechanism of NAT2 depends on the formation of a thiolate-imidazolium ion pair (Cys-S(-)-His-ImH(+)). However, in contrast to the case with cysteine proteases, a pH-dependent protein conformational change is likely responsible for the second pK(a), and not deprotonation of the thiolate-imidazolium ion. In addition, substitutions of the triad aspartate are not tolerated. The enzyme appears, therefore, to be engineered to rapidly form a stable acetylated species poised to react with an arylamine substrate.     

Cysteine reactivity in Thermoanaerobacter brockii alcohol dehydrogenase.

The free cysteine residues in the extremely thermophilic Thermoanaerobacter brockii alcohol dehydrogenase (TBADH) were characterized using selective chemical modification with the stable nitroxyl biradical bis(1-oxy-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-imidazoline-4-yl)disulfide, via a thiol-disulfide exchange reaction and with 2[14C]iodoacetic acid, via S-alkylation. The respective reactions were monitored by electron paramagenetic resonance (EPR) and by the incorporation of the radioactive label. In native TBADH, the rapid modification of one cysteine residue per subunit by the biradical and the concomitant loss of catalytic activity was reversed by DTT. NADP protected the enzyme from both modification and inactivation by the biradical. RPLC fingerprint analysis of reduced and S-carboxymethylated lysyl peptides from the radioactive alkylated enzyme identified Cys 203 as the readily modified residue. A second cysteine residue was rapidly modified with both modification reagents when the catalytic zinc was removed from the enzyme by o-phenanthroline. This cysteine residue, which could serve as a putative ligand to the active-site zinc atom, was identified as Cys 37 in RPLC. The EPR data suggested a distance of < or 10 A between Cys 37 and Cys 203. Although Cys 283 and Cys 295 were buried within the protein core and were not accessible for chemical modification, the two residues were oxidized to cystine when TBADH was heated at 75 degrees C, forming a disulfide bridge that was not present in the native enzyme, without affecting either enzymatic activity or thermal stability. The status of these cysteine residues was verified by site directed mutagenesis.     

Reaction mechanism of glutamate racemase, a pyridoxal phosphate-independent amino acid racemase.

Glutamate racemase of Pediococcus pentosaceus contained no cofactor, and was completely inactivated by a thiol reagent. The role of a cysteine residue in the enzyme reaction was studied by chemical modification. The modification of this cysteine residue resulted in a concomitant loss of activity. DL-Glutamate protected the enzyme from inactivation. The inactivated enzyme was reactivated by addition of dithiothreitol. The racemization in 2H2O showed an overshoot in the optical rotation of glutamate before the substrate was completely racemized. This indicates that the removal of alpha-hydrogen is the rate determining step. During the racemization of D- or L-glutamate in 3H2O, tritium was incorporated preferentially into the product. Glutamate is racemized by the enzyme probably through a two base mechanism.     

Inactivation of catalase by phenylhydrazine. Formation of a stable aryl-iron heme complex

Catalase promotes the H2O2-dependent oxidation of phenylhydrazine to benzene but simultaneously is subject to a pseudo-first order inactivation process. Each inactivation event is subtended by catalytic turnover of three molecules of phenylhydrazine and 52 molecules of H2O2. The dimethyl ester of N-phenylprotoporphyrin IX is extracted with acidic methanol from the inactivated enzyme, but the prosthetic heme with a phenyl sigma-bonded to the iron atom is obtained by gentle extraction with 2-butanone. The absolute chirality of N-ethylprotoporphyrin IX isolated from catalase inactivated with ethylhydrazine confirms that the prosthetic heme has the same chiral orientation in the active site as it does in hemoglobin. The known inactivation of methemoglobin by phenylhydrazine is shown to depend on H2O2 but not oxygen. The results demonstrate that the H2O2-dependent oxidation of phenylhydrazine by catalase and other hemoproteins results in sigma-coordination of a phenyl residue to the prosthetic heme iron. This process may play a role not only in phenylhydrazine-mediated erythrocyte lysis but also in the activation of guanylate cyclase.     

The oxidation of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase-1 by hydrogen peroxide in vitro

Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (YADH) plays an important role in the conversion of alcohols to aldehydes or ketones. YADH-1 is a zinc-containing protein, and it accounts for the major part of ADH activity in growing baker's yeast. To gain insight into how oxidative modification of the enzyme affects its function, we exposed YADH-1 to hydrogen peroxide in vitro and assessed the oxidized protein by LC-MS/MS analysis of proteolytic cleavage products of the protein and by measurements of enzymatic activity, zinc release, and thiol/thiolate loss. The results illustrated that Cys43 and Cys153, which reside at the active site of the protein, could be selectively oxidized to cysteine sulfinic acid (Cys-SO2H) and cysteine sulfonic acid (Cys-SO3H). In addition, H2O2 induced the formation of three disulfide bonds: Cys43-Cys153 in the catalytic domain, Cys103-Cys111 in the noncatalytic zinc center, and Cys276-Cys277. Therefore, our results support the notion that the oxidation of cysteine residues in the zinc-binding domain of proteins can go beyond the formation of disulfide bond(s); the formation of Cys-SO2H and Cys-SO3H is also possible. Furthermore, most methionines could be oxidized to methionine sulfoxides. Quantitative measurement results revealed that, among all the cysteine residues, Cys43 was the most susceptible to H2O2 oxidation, and the major oxidation products of this cysteine were Cys-SO2H and Cys-SO3H. The oxidation of Cys43 might be responsible for the inactivation of the enzyme upon H2O2 treatment.     

A conserved arginine plays a role in the catalytic cycle of the protein disulphide isomerases

The pK(a) values of the CXXC active-site cysteine residues play a critical role in determining the physiological function of the thioredoxin superfamily. To act as an efficient thiol-disulphide oxidant the thiolate state of the N-terminal cysteine must be stabilised and the thiolate state of the C-terminal cysteine residue destabilised. While increasing the pK(a) value of the C-terminal cysteine residue promotes oxidation of substrates, it has an inhibitory effect on the reoxidation of the enzyme, which is promoted by the formation of a thiolate at this position. Since reoxidation is essential to complete the catalytic cycle, the differential requirement for a high and a low pK(a) value for the C-terminal cysteine residue for different steps in the reaction presents us with a paradox. Here, we report the identification of a conserved arginine residue, located in the loop between beta5 and alpha4 of the catalytic domains of the human protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) family, which is critical for the catalytic function of PDI, ERp57, ERp72 and P5, specifically for reoxidation. An examination of the published NMR structure for the a domain of PDI combined with molecular dynamic studies suggest that the side-chain of this arginine residue moves into and out of the active-site locale and that this has a very marked effect on the pK(a) value of the active-site cysteine residues. This intra-domain motion resolves the apparent dichotomy of the pK(a) requirements for the C-terminal active-site cysteine.     

Regulation of mitochondrial NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase activity by glutathionylation

Recently, we demonstrated that the control of mitochondrial redox balance and oxidative damage is one of the primary functions of mitochondrial NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDPm). Because cysteine residue(s) in IDPm are susceptible to inactivation by a number of thiol-modifying reagents, we hypothesized that IDPm is likely a target for regulation by an oxidative mechanism, specifically glutathionylation. Oxidized glutathione led to enzyme inactivation with simultaneous formation of a mixed disulfide between glutathione and the cysteine residue(s) in IDPm, which was detected by immunoblotting with anti-GSH IgG. The inactivated IDPm was reactivated enzymatically by glutaredoxin2 in the presence of GSH, indicating that the inactivated form of IDPm is a glutathionyl mixed disulfide. Mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis further confirmed that glutathionylation occurs to a Cys(269) of IDPm. The glutathionylated IDPm appeared to be significantly less susceptible than native protein to peptide fragmentation by reactive oxygen species and proteolytic digestion, suggesting that glutathionylation plays a protective role presumably through the structural alterations. HEK293 cells and intact respiring mitochondria treated with oxidants inducing GSH oxidation such as H(2)O(2) or diamide showed a decrease in IDPm activity and the accumulation of glutathionylated enzyme. Using immunoprecipitation with anti-IDPm IgG and immunoblotting with anti-GSH IgG, we were also able to purify and positively identify glutathionylated IDPm from 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-treated mice, a model for Parkinson's disease. The results of the current study indicate that IDPm activity appears to be modulated through enzymatic glutathionylation and deglutathionylation during oxidative stress.     

3D model of human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2: structural basis of the slow acetylator phenotype of the R64Q variant and analysis of the active-site loop

The human arylamine N-acetyltransferase NAT2 is responsible for the biotransformation of numerous arylamine drugs and carcinogens. A common polymorphism of the NAT2 gene has been associated with susceptibility to drug toxicity and various malignancies. In this study, we used the crystal structure of the Salmonella typhimurium NAT (StNAT) to construct a high-quality model of a catalytic N-terminal region of NAT2 (residues 34-131). We show that this region has a similar structure in StNAT and the human isoforms NAT1 and NAT2. Comparison of the structures of these three molecules suggests that NATs have an active-site loop with a conserved structure, which is involved in substrate recognition. Our model is consistent with previous experimental data and provides the first plausible structural basis of the effects of a common genetic polymorphism (Arg(64)-->Gln) on NAT2 activity.     

Interaction with substrate sensitises caspase-3 to inactivation by hydrogen peroxide

Caspases have an active site cysteine whose oxidation blocks catalytic activity. Caspase activity, measured in lysates of apoptotic cells, was inhibited by H2O2 with an IC50 of 7 microM. Recombinant caspase-3 was directly inhibited by H2O2, with an estimated second-order rate constant of 750 M-1 s-1. These values were determined when H2O2 was added while the caspases were cleaving a peptide substrate. There was a 40-fold decrease in sensitivity to inactivation if the substrate was absent at the time of H2O2 addition. These results rationalise conflicting reports of the sensitivity of caspase-3 to H2O2, and identify a novel mechanism for sensitising a thiol enzyme to oxidative inactivation.