Cloning,characterization, and expression analysis of goat (Capra hircus) phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx)

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx), as a ubiquitous antioxidant enzyme in the glutathione peroxidases (GPx) family, plays multiple roles in organisms. However, there is very little information on PHGPx in goats (Capra hircus). In this study, a full-length cDNA was cloned and characterized from Taihang black goat testes. The 844 bp cDNA contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 597 bp. The goat PHGPx nucleotide sequence contains a selenocysteine (sec) codon TGA^244-246, two potential start codons ATG^20-22 and ATG^108-110, a polyadenylation signal AATAAA^813-818 and selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) motif AUGA^688-691, UGA^729-731 and AAA^703-705. As a selenoprotein, the active-site motifs and GPx family signature motifs LAFPCNQF^101-108 and WNFEK^165-170 were also found. The order of PHGPx mRNA expression levels was: testes >> heart > brain > epididymis > kidney > liver > lung > spleen > muscle. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry results revealed similar expression differences in different age testes, with high expression levels during adolescence. Immunofluorescence results suggested that PHGPx mainly expressed in Leydig cells and spermatids in mature goat testes.     

Induction of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils and HL60 cells stimulated with TNF-alpha

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) is characterized as an important enzyme for protecting cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and regulating the production of leukotrienes and prostanoids in cells overexpressing PHGPx. We studied whether the expression level of PHGPx fluctuates in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) which were exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines at an inflammation site. Human peripheral PMNs up-regulated the expression level of PHGPx following culture with TNF-alpha, but not with IL-1beta, IL-8, and GRO. The up-regulated PHGPx expression was also observed in neutrophil-like cells that differentiated from the human leukemia cell line HL60 only after stimulation with TNF-alpha. However, macrophage-like differentiated HL60 cells and other cell lines, A498, ECV304, HeLa, U937, and HEK293, showed no increase in the PHGPx expression. This up-regulation of PHGPx was inhibited by treatment with the anti-oxidants, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and by inhibitors of NFkappaB and Src kinases. The stimulation of neutrophil-like differentiated HL60 cells with TNF-alpha induced activation of NFkappaB and c-Src kinase, and the activation was attenuated by treatment with the anti-oxidants. Up-regulation in neutrophil-like HL60 cells was also observed following exposure to H(2)O(2). These results indicate that activation of NFkappaB and/or Src kinases through ROS signaling may be involved in the up-regulation of the PHGPx in human PMNs stimulated by TNF-alpha.     

A plant mitochondrial phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase: its precise localization and higher enzymatic activity

A novel cDNA of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx), which encodes a functional protein capable of complementing the yeast PHGHX-deletion mutant, was recently discovered in radish (Raphanus sativus) and designated as RsPHGPx [Yang X-D, Li W-J, Liu J-Y (2005) Biochim Biophys Acta 1728:199–205]. Sequence alignment suggested that RsPHGPx contains a targeting peptide required for transport to mitochondria, but the experimental evidence for the exact intracellular distribution of RsPHGPx remains to be elucidated. To uncover the cellular localization of plant PHGPx, we first investigated RsPHGPx’s intracellular distribution. Western blot analysis of subcellular fractions using the RsPHGPx antiserum clearly indicated the distribution of RsPHGPx in the radish mitochondrial fraction. Furthermore, a construct expressing the RsPHGPx precursor tagged with green fluorescent protein was introduced into tobacco and yeast cells, and the fusion protein was transported into both mitochondria, indicating that RsPHGPx was indeed localized in mitochondria. To explore the biochemical functions of this enzyme, we tested the enzymatic activity of the recombinant RsPHGPx protein. It displayed GSH-dependent peroxidase activity and exhibited the largest affinity to and the highest catalytic efficiency on phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide, suggesting that phospholipid hydroperoxide is probably the optimum substrate for RsPHGPx. Furthermore, RsPHGPx showed a much higher V _max value, by two orders of magnitude, than those of all other known plant PHGPxs. Taken together, these results showed evidence for the first time of mitochondrial localization and higher activity of PHGPx in plants and provided a framework for continued studies on the physiological functions of RsPHGPx.     

Prevention of geranylgeranoic acid-induced apoptosis by phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase gene

Micromolar concentrations (0.5 approximately 5 microM) of all-trans geranylgeranoic acid (GGA) induced cell death in a guinea pig cell line, 104C1, whereas under the same conditions GGA was unable to kill 104C1/O4C, a clone established from 104C1 cells by transfection of them with the human phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) gene. GGA (5 microM) induced a loss of the mitochondrial inner membrane potential (DeltaPsim) in 104C1 cells in 2 h, and their apoptotic cell death became evident in 6 h. On the other hand, 104C1/O4C cells were resistant to loss of DeltaPsim and showed intact morphology until at least 24 h after addition of 10 microM GGA. Dihydroethidine, superoxide-sensitive probe, was immediately oxidized 15 min after addition of GGA in both 104C1 and 104C1/O4C cells. The peroxide-sensitive probe 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (H2-DCF-DA) was strongly oxidized in 104C1 cells 4 h after the addition of 2.5 microM GGA, but not in 104C1/O4C cells even in the presence of 10 microM GGA. The present results suggest that GGA induced a hyper-production of superoxide and subsequently peroxides, which in turn may have led to dissipation of the DeltaPsim and final apoptotic cell death in 104C1 cells.     

Inhibition of arachidonate metabolism in human epidermoid carcinoma a431 cells overexpressing phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx), a selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase, can interact with lipophilic substrates, including phospholipid hydroperoxides, fatty acid hydroperoxides and cholesterol hydroperoxides, and can reduce them to hydroxide compounds. It also seems to be a major regulator of lipid oxygenation in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. In order to study the functional role of PHGPx in the regulation of 12-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, cDNA of PHGPx was inserted into pcDNA3.1/His, and a plasmid designated as S4 with the His-tag sequence inserted between PHGPx and its 3'-untranslated region was constructed. A number of stable transfectants of A431 cells that could express the tag-PHGPx were generated using plasmid S4. Using an intact cell assay system, the metabolism of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E(2) significantly decreased in stable transfectants of overexpressing PHGPx compared to that in a vector control cell line. If the intact cell assay was carried out in the presence of 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid as a stimulator of lipid peroxidation, formation of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid from arachidonic acid also significantly decreased in stable transfectants of overexpressing PHGPx compared to that in a vector control cell line, indicating that PHGPx could downregulate the 12-lipoxygenase activity in cells. These results support the hypothesis that PHGPx plays a pivotal role in the regulation of arachidonate metabolism in A431 cells.     

Vitellocyte-specific expression of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidases in Clonorchis sinensis

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) is a major antioxidant enzyme and may protect against lipid hydroperoxidation in biomembranes. We isolated full-length cDNA sequences encoding four different PHGPxs from a causative agent of cholangiocarcinoma, Clonorchis sinensis (CsGPx1, CsGPx2, CsGPx3 and CsGPx4). These sequences contained an in-frame TGA codon for selenocysteine (Sec) and a concurrent Sec insertion sequence in their 3′-untranslated regions. The open reading frames were composed of six exons in the chromosomal segments of CsGPx1 (7705 bp), CsGPx2 (5871 bp) and CsGPx3 (3867 bp) and five exons in CsGPx4 (5655 bp). The positions of these introns were tightly conserved between the trematode and vertebrate PHGPx genes. Oxidative stimulation of viable worms with H₂O₂ or paraquat resulted in 1.5- to 2-fold induction of the GPx activity. The CsGPx proteins were specifically localised in vitellocytes within vitelline follicles and premature eggs in the proximal uterus. In the eggs, glutathione, an electron donor for GPx, was co-localised with the CsGPx proteins, while thioredoxin, which is preferred by peroxiredoxin, was principally detected in the extracellular space between the embryonic cell mass and an eggshell. Our data may suggest a concerted or a specialised function between a thioredoxin-dependent enzyme(s) and GPx in protecting against H₂O₂-derived damage during maturation of the embryo and formation of the eggshell, in these catalase-lacking trematode parasites. The uniquely conserved genomic organisation and Sec-dependency amongst trematode and vertebrate PHGPx homologues will also provide insight into the evolutionary episode and functional/biochemical diversification of GPx proteins.     

烟粉虱MEAM1隐种磷脂氢谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶基因克隆与表达分析

【目的】本研究旨在从烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci中东-小亚细亚1隐种(Middle East-Asia Minor 1, MEAM1)中克隆磷脂氢谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, PHGPX)基因,鉴定其在烟粉虱不同发育阶段及吡虫啉处理不同时间后雌成虫体内的表达情况,明确其在烟粉虱应对外界环境压力中的功能。【方法】利用3′RACE克隆和测定烟粉虱MEAM1隐种内PHGPX基因的cDNA全长序列,并对其编码的氨基酸序列进行生物信息学分析;利用定量RT-PCR技术对该基因在烟粉虱MEAM1隐种不同发育阶段及吡虫啉处理不同时间后雌成虫体内的表达量进行分析。【结果】获得了烟粉虱MEAM1隐种两个磷脂氢谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶基因的全长cDNA序列,分别命名为BtB-PHGPX1(GenBank登录号:KY312116)和BtB-PHGPX2(GenBank登录号:KY312117)。序列分析表明,BtB-PHGPX1基因开放阅读框全长732 bp,编码243个氨基酸;BtB-PHGPX2基因开放阅读框全长567 bp,编码188个氨基酸。序列比对结果表明两基因的编码蛋白内均具有谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶保守的半胱氨酸、谷氨酰胺和色氨酸残基位点。BtB-PHGPX1在烟粉虱MEAM1隐种卵内表达量显著高于其在若虫、伪蛹、雌成虫和雄成虫内的表达量,BtB-PHGPX2在烟粉虱MEAM1隐种卵内的表达量显著低于其在若虫、伪蛹和雌成虫内的表达量(P<0.05)。BtB-PHGPX1和BtB-PHGPX2在雌成虫内的表达量均显著高于雄成虫内。吡虫啉处理雌成虫2 h时两基因的表达量均较对照显著提高(P<0.05),处理后5, 10和24 h时其表达量均较对照显著下降(P<0.01)。【结论】本研究克隆了烟粉虱MEAM1隐种两个PHGPX基因的序列全长,明确了其在不同发育阶段及吡虫啉处理不同时间后雌成虫体内的差异表达,推测PHGPX在烟粉虱抵御环境压力及杀虫剂胁迫时可能发挥着重要的防御作用。     

Signaling role of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPX) accompanying sensing of NaCl stress in etiolated sunflower seedling cotyledons

Sunflower seedlings subjected to 120 mM NaCl stress exhibit high total peroxidase activity, differential expression of its isoforms and accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides. This coincides with high specific activity of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPX) in the 10,000g supernatant from the homogenates of 2–6 d old seedling cotyledons. An upregulation of PHGPX activity by NaCl is evident from Western blot analysis. Confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) analysis of sections of cotyledons incubated with anti-GPX4 (PHGPX) antibody highlights an enhanced cytosolic accumulation of PHGPX, particularly around the secretory canals. Present work, thus, highlights sensing of NaCl stress in sunflower seedlings in relation with lipid hydroperoxide accumulation and its scavenging through an upregulation of PHGPX activity in the cotyledons.     

Effects of dietary selenium and vitamin E concentrations on phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase expression in reproductive tissues of pubertal maturing male rats

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPX) is the second intracellular selenium (Se)-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) identified in mammals. Our objectives were to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E and Se levels on PHGPX activity expression in testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicles of pubertal maturing rats, and the relationship of PHGPX expression with testicular development and sperm quality. Forty Sprague-Dawley male weanling rats (21-d old), were initially fed for 3 wk a torula yeast basal diet (containing 0.05 mg Se/kg) supplemented with marginal levels of Se (0.1 mg/kg as Na₂SeO₃) and vitamin E (25 IU/kg as all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate). Then, rats were fed the basal diets supplemented with 0 or 0.2 mg Se/kg and 0 or 100 IU vitamin E/kg diet during the 3-wk period of pubertal maturing. Compared with the Se-supplemented rats, those fed the Se-deficient diets retained 31, 88, 67, and 50% of Se-dependent GSH-Px activities in liver, testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicles, respectively. Testes and seminal vesicles had substantially higher (5-to 20-fold) PHGPX activity than liver. Dietary Se deficiency did not affect PHGPX activities in the reproductive tissues, but reduced PHGPX activity in liver by 28% (P < 0.0001). Dietary vitamin E supplementation did not affect PHGPX activity in liver, whereas it raised PHGPX activity in seminal vesicles by 43% (P < 0.005). Neither dietary vitamin E nor Se levels affected body weight gains, reproductive organ weights, or sperm counts and morphology. In conclusion, expression of PHGPX activity in testis and seminal vesicles was high and regulated by dietary Se and vitamin E differently from that in liver.     

The spatio-temporal expression pattern of cytoplasmic Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mRNA during mouse embryogenesis

The cytoplasmic Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) represents along with catalase and glutathione peroxidase at the first defense line against reactive oxygen species in all aerobic organisms, but little is known about its distribution in developing embryos. In this study, the expression patterns of SOD1 mRNA in mouse embryos were investigated using real-time RT-PCR and in situ hybridization analyses. Expression of SOD1 mRNA was detected in all embryos with embryonic days (EDs) 7.5–18.5. The signal showed the weakest level at ED 12.5, but the highest level at ED 15.5. SOD1 mRNA was expressed in chorion, allantois, amnion, and neural folds at ED 7.5 and in neural folds, notochord, neuromeres, gut, and primitive streak at ED 8.5. In central nervous system, SOD1 mRNA was expressed greatly in embryos of EDs 9.5–11.5, but weakly in embryos of ED 12.5. At EDs 9.5–12.5, the expression of SOD1 mRNA was high in sensory organs such as tongue, olfactory organ (nasal prominence) and eye (optic vesicle), while it was decreased in ear (otic vesicle) after ED 10.5. In developing limbs, SOD1 mRNA was greatly expressed in forelimbs at EDs 9.5–11.5 and in hindlimbs at EDs 10.5–11.5. The signal increased in liver, heart and genital tubercle after ED 11.5. In the sections of embryos after ED 13.5, SOD1 mRNA was expressed in various tissues and especially high in mucosa and metabolically active sites such as lung, kidney, stomach, and intestines and epithelial cells of skin, whisker follicles, and ear and nasal cavities. These results suggest that SOD1 may be related to organogenesis of embryos as an antioxidant enzyme.     

Organ-specific distribution and subcellular localisation of ascorbate peroxidase isoenzymes in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants

Summary. Ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11), a heme-containing homodimeric protein, is a hydrogen peroxide-scavenging enzyme, playing an important role in plants in order to protect them from oxidative stress, thus adverting cellular damage. Several ascorbate peroxidase isoenzymes have been reported but the understanding of their physiological role still depends on a better knowledge of their precise localisation within plant organs. Immunocytochemistry techniques were performed in order to elucidate the peroxisomal and cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase distribution within tissues of leaves and sprouts of potato plants. The peroxisomal isoenzyme was found to have a broad distribution in sprouts, but a differential one in leaves, being restricted to the spongy parenchyma. This differential expression may be associated to the mesophyll asymmetry and the diverse physiological processes that occur in it. The cytosolic isoenzyme was not detected in leaves under the used conditions, probably because it is present in low amounts in these tissues. The results obtained in sprouts were at least curious: cytosolic ascorbate was found to be adjacent to the amyloplasts. Given these results, it is possible to state that apart from their similarity, these two isoenzymes reside in different organelles and seem to take part in different physiological processes as suggested by their organ- and tissue-specific distribution. Correspondence and reprints: Plant Functional Biology Department, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal.     

Modulation of a neuronal calmodulin mRNA species in the rat brain stem by reserpine

Reserpine evokes transsynaptic impulse activity by depleting catecholaminergic neurotransmitters in the rat brain. Previous studies suggest a relationship between catecholaminergic activity and calmodulin concentration. In this report we employ Northern blot analysis to examine the effect of a single subcutaneous injection of reserpine on levels of calmodulin mRNA species which are preferentially expressed in neurons of the rat brain. Regional differences in mRNA levels were also investigated byin situ hybridization and drug-induced changes were noted particularly in specific regions of the rat brain stem. The riboprobe used in thein situ hybridization study recognized a 4.0 kilobase neuronal calmodulin mRNA species (NGB1), which was derived from the rat CaM1 gene. A calmodulin radio-immunoassay was utilized to demonstrate a drug-induced increased in calmodulin protein levels in a region which included the brain stem.     

Expression and localization of cysteine dioxygenase mRNA in the liver, lung, and kidney of the rat

Summary The expressions of cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) gene in the liver, lung, skeletal muscle, and kidney were studied byin situ hybridization with a cDNA probe from rat liver CDO under normal conditions. Significant expression of the CDO gene was detected in the liver, lung, and kidney, but not skeletal muscle. In the liver, the signal was confined to the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes. Furthermore, the signal was stronger in the periportal than that in the perivenous areas. In the lung, an intensive signal was found in the bronchiolar epithelium. As to the kidney, an intensive signal was observed in the distal convoluted tubules, while no signal was found in the proximal convultions.