Differential oxidation of thioredoxin-1, thioredoxin-2, and glutathione by metal ions

Metal toxicity often includes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent oxidative stress, but whether metals have different effects on the major thiol antioxidant systems is unknown. Here, we examine the effects of arsenic, cadmium, cesium, copper, iron, mercury, nickel, and zinc on glutathione (GSH), cytoplasmic thioredoxin-1 (Trx1), and mitochondrial thioredoxin-2 (Trx2) redox states. GSH/GSSG redox states were determined by HPLC, and Trx1 and Trx2 redox states were determined by Redox Western blot methods. Copper, iron, and nickel showed significant oxidation of GSH but relatively little oxidation of either Trx1 or Trx2. Arsenic, cadmium, and mercury showed little oxidation of GSH but significantly oxidized both Trx1 and Trx2. The magnitude of effects of arsenic, cadmium, and mercury was greater for the mitochondrial Trx2 (>60 mV) compared to the cytoplasmic Trx1 (20 to 40 mV). Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) may be activated by two different pathways, one dependent upon GSH and glutaredoxin and the other independent of GSH and dependent upon thioredoxin. ASK1 activation and cell death were observed with metals that oxidized thioredoxins but not with metals that oxidized GSH. These findings show that metals have differential oxidative effects on the major thiol antioxidant systems and that activation of apoptosis may be associated with metal ions that oxidize thioredoxin and activate ASK1. The differential oxidation of the major thiol antioxidant systems by metal ions suggest that the distinct thiol/disulfide redox couples represented by GSH/GSSG and the thioredoxins may convey different levels of control in apoptotic and toxic signaling pathways.     

Thioredoxin reductase-2 is essential for keeping low levels of H(2)O(2) emission from isolated heart mitochondria

Respiring mitochondria produce H(2)O(2) continuously. When production exceeds scavenging, H(2)O(2) emission occurs, endangering cell functions. The mitochondrial peroxidase peroxiredoxin-3 reduces H(2)O(2) to water using reducing equivalents from NADPH supplied by thioredoxin-2 (Trx2) and, ultimately, thioredoxin reductase-2 (TrxR2). Here, the contribution of this mitochondrial thioredoxin system to the control of H(2)O(2) emission was studied in isolated mitochondria and cardiomyocytes from mouse or guinea pig heart. Energization of mitochondria by the addition of glutamate/malate resulted in a 10-fold decrease in the ratio of oxidized to reduced Trx2. This shift in redox state was accompanied by an increase in NAD(P)H and was dependent on TrxR2 activity. Inhibition of TrxR2 in isolated mitochondria by auranofin resulted in increased H(2)O(2) emission, an effect that was seen under both forward and reverse electron transport. This effect was independent of changes in NAD(P)H or membrane potential. The effects of auranofin were reproduced in cardiomyocytes; superoxide and H(2)O(2) levels increased, but similarly, there was no effect on NAD(P)H or membrane potential. These data show that energization of mitochondria increases the antioxidant potential of the TrxR2/Trx2 system and that inhibition of TrxR2 results in increased H(2)O(2) emission through a mechanism that is independent of changes in other redox couples.     

Impairment of thioredoxin reductase activity by oxidative stress in human rheumatoid synoviocytes

The thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase system is strongly induced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We have investigated the impact on TR activity of doses of superoxide anion generated by the hypoxanthine (HX)/xanthine oxidase (XO) system and by hydrogen peroxide, H(2)O(2), for various times and compared the findings with synoviocytes obtained from osteoarthritis (OA) patients. At baseline, TR activity in RA cells was significantly higher than in OA cells (2.31 +/- 0.65 versus 0.74 +/- 0.43 mUnit/mg protein, p < 0.01). HX/XO and H(2)O(2) in RA cells decreased TR activity, which was found to be unchanged in OA cells. H(2)O(2) and superoxide anion caused a time-dependent accumulation of oxidized TR and induced the formation of carbonyl groups in TR protein in RA cells rather than OA cells, and oxidized the selenocysteine of the active site. The oxidation in TR protein was irreversible in RA cells but not in OA cells. In conclusion, we report that the oxidative aggression generates modifications in the redox status of the active site of the TR and induces an alteration of the Trx/TR system, concomitant with those of the other antioxidant systems that could explain the causes of oxidative stress related to RA disease.     

H2O2诱导的线粒体损伤神经元内硫氧还蛋白mRNA水平的变化

线粒体缺陷和氧化应激参与了神经退行性疾病的发病机制。叠氮钠(NaN3)是线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶(COX)的特异性抑制剂,能诱导线粒体缺陷。本实验通过细胞活性检测(MTT法),形态学观察,分析H2O2对原代培养的正常神经元及NaN3诱导的线粒体缺陷神经元的损伤作用的差异。并通过RT-PCR半定量法检测H2O2损伤后两类神经元内硫氧还蛋白(Thioredoxin,Trx)mRNA水平的变化,以阐明细胞内这一重要氧化还原调节蛋白在神经元损伤时的作用机制。实验表明,在正常神经元内,H2O2的损伤对Trx表达量的改变似乎不明显;而线粒体缺陷神经元内Trx的表达量下降,且对于H2O2的损伤具有浓度、时间依赖性。提示：在线粒体功能缺陷神经元中,Trx似乎发挥更重要的作用。     

Regulation of the catalytic activity and structure of human thioredoxin 1 via oxidation and S-nitrosylation of cysteine residues

The mammalian cytosolic/nuclear thioredoxin system, comprising thioredoxin (Trx), selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and NADPH, is the major protein-disulfide reductase of the cell and has numerous functions. The active site of reduced Trx comprises Cys(32)-Gly-Pro-Cys(35) thiols that catalyze target disulfide reduction, generating a disulfide. Human Trx1 has also three structural Cys residues in positions 62, 69, and 73 that upon diamide oxidation induce a second Cys(62)-Cys(69) disulfide as well as dimers and multimers. We have discovered that after incubation with H(2)O(2) only monomeric two-disulfide molecules are generated, and they are inactive but able to regain full activity in an autocatalytic process in the presence of NADPH and TrxR. There are conflicting results regarding the effects of S-nitrosylation on Trx antioxidant functions and which residues are involved. We found that S-nitrosoglutathione-mediated S-nitrosylation at physiological pH is critically dependent on the redox state of Trx. Starting from fully reduced human Trx, both Cys(69) and Cys(73) were nitrosylated, and the active site formed a disulfide; the nitrosylated Trx was not a substrate for TrxR but regained activity after a lag phase consistent with autoactivation. Treatment of a two-disulfide form of Trx1 with S-nitrosoglutathione resulted in nitrosylation of Cys(73), which can act as a trans-nitrosylating agent as observed by others to control caspase 3 activity (Mitchell, D. A., and Marletta, M. A. (2005) Nat. Chem. Biol. 1, 154-158). The reversible inhibition of human Trx1 activity by H(2)O(2) and NO donors is suggested to act in cell signaling via temporal control of reduction for the transmission of oxidative and/or nitrosative signals in thiol redox control.     

Identification and functional characterization of a novel mitochondrial thioredoxin system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The so-called thioredoxin system, thioredoxin (Trx), thioredoxin reductase (Trr), and NADPH, acts as a disulfide reductase system and can protect cells against oxidative stress. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two thioredoxins (Trx1 and Trx2) and one thioredoxin reductase (Trr1) have been characterized, all of them located in the cytoplasm. We have identified and characterized a novel thioredoxin system in S. cerevisiae. The TRX3 gene codes for a 14-kDa protein containing the characteristic thioredoxin active site (WCGPC). The TRR2 gene codes for a protein of 37 kDa with the active-site motif (CAVC) present in prokaryotic thioredoxin reductases and binding sites for NADPH and FAD. We cloned and expressed both proteins in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant Trx3 and Trr2 proteins were active in the insulin reduction assay. Trx3 and Trr2 proteins have N-terminal domain extensions with characteristics of signals for import into mitochondria. By immunoblotting analysis of Saccharomyces subcellular fractions, we provide evidence that these proteins are located in mitochondria. We have also constructed S. cerevisiae strains null in Trx3 and Trr2 proteins and tested them for sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide. The Deltatrr2 mutant was more sensitive to H2O2, whereas the Deltatrx3 mutant was as sensitive as the wild type. These results suggest an important role of the mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase in protection against oxidative stress in S. cerevisiae.     

鱼藤酮诱导线粒体轻度损伤细胞氧化应激时硫氧还蛋白转录水平降低

观察鱼藤酮诱导的线粒体轻度损伤细胞氧化应激时硫氧还蛋白转录水平的变化,探讨细胞氧化损伤的可能机制。通过荧光素发光法检测ATP生成、细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平的变化,流式细胞术检测线粒体膜电位,了解低剂量鱼藤酮对线粒体功能的影响;继而用H2O2诱导细胞氧化损伤,MTT法检测细胞活性,观察正常及线粒体缺陷细胞氧化应激时,胞内硫氧还蛋白(Trx)mRNA水平的变化。结果表明,鱼藤酮以剂量依赖方式抑制线粒体ATP的产生、降低线粒体膜电位,而细胞内ROS水平增高;当线粒体损伤细胞氧化应激时胞内Trx mRNA水平降低,提示鱼藤酮诱导线粒体轻度损伤细胞抗氧化能力降低与Trx转录受到抑制有关。     

Thioredoxin 1 Is Inactivated Due to Oxidation Induced by Peroxiredoxin under Oxidative Stress and Reactivated by the Glutaredoxin System

The mammalian cytosolic thioredoxin system, comprising thioredoxin (Trx), Trx reductase, and NADPH, is the major protein-disulfide reductase of the cell and has numerous functions. Besides the active site thiols, human Trx1 contains three non-active site cysteine residues at positions 62, 69, and 73. A two-disulfide form of Trx1, containing an active site disulfide between Cys-32 and Cys-35 and a non-active site disulfide between Cys-62 and Cys-69, is inactive either as a disulfide reductase or as a substrate for Trx reductase. This could possibly provide a structural switch affecting Trx1 function during oxidative stress and redox signaling. We found that two-disulfide Trx1 was generated in A549 cells under oxidative stress. In vitro data showed that two-disulfide Trx1 was generated from oxidation of Trx1 catalyzed by peroxiredoxin 1 in the presence of H₂O₂. The redox Western blot data indicated that the glutaredoxin system protected Trx1 in HeLa cells from oxidation caused by ebselen, a superfast oxidant for Trx1. Our results also showed that physiological concentrations of glutathione, NADPH, and glutathione reductase reduced the non-active site disulfide in vitro. This reaction was stimulated by glutaredoxin 1 via the so-called monothiol mechanism. In conclusion, reversible oxidation of the non-active site disulfide of Trx1 is suggested to play an important role in redox regulation and cell signaling via temporal inhibition of its protein-disulfide reductase activity for the transmission of oxidative signals under oxidative stress.     

NADPH依赖性硫氧还蛋白还原酶C在植物质体中的作用

硫氧还蛋白的氧化还原调节作用在生物界中普遍存在。它能够还原目标蛋白的二硫键,而自身的活性位点则被氧化。因此,对于新的催化循环,则需要由相应的还原酶将其再次还原成活性形式。硫氧还蛋白对维持高等植物的光合效率同样具有重要意义。叶绿体中的硫氧还蛋白分别由铁氧还蛋白依赖性硫氧还蛋白还原酶和NADPH依赖性硫氧还蛋白还原酶C(NTRC)两种酶还原。NTRC的本质是一种黄素蛋白,除了具有还原酶活性外,还整合了一个硫氧还蛋白结构域,在叶绿体和淀粉体的氧化还原调节中处于核心地位。这种特殊的双功能酶在卡尔文-本森循环、氧化戊糖磷酸途径、抗过氧化、四吡咯代谢、ATP和淀粉合成、生长素和光周期调控中扮演了多重角色。本综述总结了NTRC的生理功能,并讨论了该蛋白质对植物质体氧化还原稳态的调节机制。     

Inhibition of the thioredoxin system is a basis for the antileukemic potential of 13-hydroxy-15-oxo-zoapatlin

The mammalian thioredoxin (Trx) system, composed of Trx, Trx reductase (TrxR), and NADPH, is the most important thiol system involved in the redox control of signaling and regulatory proteins in apoptosis and cell proliferation. Here we addressed the inhibition of the Trx system by 13-hydroxy-15-oxo-zoapatlin (OZ), a nor-kaurane diterpene previously shown to possess proapoptotic potential and to cause cell cycle arrest in leukemia cells. OZ was found, by both biochemical and mass spectrometry-based approaches, to target Trx1 and TrxR in a cell-free system. In particular, the formation of reversible OZ adducts to Trx1 Cys35, Cys62, and Cys73 was demonstrated. We next showed that OZ efficiently inhibited Trx and TrxR catalytic activity in Molt4 cells. The occurrence of oxidative modifications of Trx molecules was assessed by "redox Western blot" analyses. OZ-mediated Trx oxidation resulted in apoptosis signaling kinase-1 release and activation of downstream JNK and p38 pathways. By means of specific inhibitors of these two stress-activated protein kinases, we demonstrated that the JNK pathway plays a major role in determining the apoptotic fate of OZ-exposed cells, whereas p38 activation seems to be involved mainly in OZ-induced G2/M block.     

The thioredoxin system in aging muscle: key role of mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase in the protective effects of caloric restriction?

Cellular redox balance is maintained by various antioxidative systems. Among those is the thioredoxin system, consisting of thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, and NADPH. In the present study, we examined the effects of caloric restriction (2 mo) on the expression of the cytosolic and mitochondrial thioredoxin system in skeletal muscle and heart of senescent and young rats. Mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase (TrxR2) is significantly reduced in aging skeletal and cardiac muscle and renormalized after caloric restriction, while the cytosolic isoform remains unchanged. Thioredoxins (mitochondrial Trx2, cytosolic Trx1) are not influenced by caloric restriction. In skeletal and cardiac muscle of young rats, caloric restriction has no effect on the expression of thioredoxins or thioredoxin reductases. Enforced reduction of TrxR2 (small interfering RNA) in myoblasts under exposure to ceramide or TNF-alpha causes a dramatic enhancement of nucleosomal DNA cleavage, caspase 9 activation, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species release, together with reduced cell viability, while this TrxR2 reduction is without effect in unstimulated myoblasts under basal conditions. Oxidative stress in vitro (H2O2 in C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes) results in different changes: TrxR2, Trx2, and Trx1 are induced without alterations in the cytosolic thioredoxin reductase isoforms. Thus aging is associated with a TrxR2 reduction in skeletal muscle and heart, which enhances susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli but is renormalized after short-term caloric restriction. Exogenous oxidative stress does not result in these age-related changes of TrxR2.     

叠氮钠、过氧化氢对SH-SY5Y细胞内硫氧还蛋白还原酶的影响

过度氧化应激是诱发许多神经退变病的重要因素。叠氮钠(NaN3)是线粒体有氧呼吸链细胞色素c氧化酶(COX)的特异性抑制剂,过氧化氢(H2O2)释放氧自由基造成氧化损伤,两者都可以用于氧化应激情况下神经元损伤模型的建立。硫氧还蛋白还原酶(thioredoxin reductase,TR)特异性的还原氧化型的硫氧还蛋白(thioredoxin,TRx),调节细胞中氧化还原的平衡。现以不同浓度NaN3或H2O2,处理人神经母细胞瘤细胞(SH-SY5Y细胞),建立损伤模型。通过MTT法、形态学方法检测SH-SY5Y细胞损伤程度。同时,通过Western blot定量法、免疫细胞化学法,检测损伤的SH-SY5Y细胞中TR含量的改变,观察TR在胞内的分布。实验表明,NaN3、H2O2,均以浓度依赖方式损伤SH-SY5Y细胞;TR分布于SH-SY5Y细胞的胞浆,表明TR是一种分泌蛋白,损伤后分布无明显变化。但一定浓度的NaN3作用后3h,胞内TR水平显著降低,即神经系统内呼吸链受损可抑制TR的表达,为神经退变病的防治提供了新的思路。     

Redox potential of human thioredoxin 1 and identification of a second dithiol/disulfide motif

Thioredoxin (Trx1) is a redox-active protein containing two active site cysteines (Cys-32 and Cys-35) that cycle between the dithiol and disulfide forms as Trx1 reduces target proteins. Examination of the redox characteristics of this active site dithiol/disulfide couple is complicated by the presence of three additional non-active site cysteines. Using the redox Western blot technique and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry mass spectrometry, we determined the midpoint potential (E0) of the Trx1 active site (-230 mV) and identified a second redox-active dithiol/disulfide (Cys-62 and Cys-69) in an alpha helix proximal to the active site, which formed under oxidizing conditions. This non-active site disulfide was not a substrate for reduction by thioredoxin reductase and delayed the reduction of the active site disulfide by thioredoxin reductase. Within actively growing THP1 cells, most of the active site of Trx1 was in the dithiol form, whereas the non-active site was totally in the dithiol form. The addition of increasing concentrations of diamide to these cells resulted in oxidation of the active site at fairly low concentrations and oxidation of the non-active site at higher concentrations. Taken together these results suggest that the Cys-62-Cys-69 disulfide could provide a means to transiently inhibit Trx1 activity under conditions of redox signaling or oxidative stress, allowing more time for the sensing and transmission of oxidative signals.     

Both thioredoxin 2 and glutaredoxin 2 contribute to the reduction of the mitochondrial 2-Cys peroxiredoxin Prx3

The proteins from the thioredoxin family are crucial actors in redox signaling and the cellular response to oxidative stress. The major intracellular source for oxygen radicals are the components of the respiratory chain in mitochondria. Here, we show that the mitochondrial 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (Prx3) is not only substrate for thioredoxin 2 (Trx2), but can also be reduced by glutaredoxin 2 (Grx2) via the dithiol reaction mechanism. Grx2 reduces Prx3 exhibiting catalytic constants (K(m), 23.8 μmol·liter(-1); V(max), 1.2 μmol·(mg·min)(-1)) similar to Trx2 (K(m), 11.2 μmol·liter(-1); V(max), 1.1 μmol·(mg·min)(-1)). The reduction of the catalytic disulfide of the atypical 2-Cys Prx5 is limited to the Trx system. Silencing the expression of either Trx2 or Grx2 in HeLa cells using specific siRNAs did not change the monomer:dimer ratio of Prx3 detected by a specific 2-Cys Prx redox blot. Only combined silencing of the expression of both proteins led to an accumulation of oxidized protein. We further demonstrate that the distribution of Prx3 in different mouse tissues is either linked to the distribution of Trx2 or Grx2. These results introduce Grx2 as a novel electron donor for Prx3, providing further insights into pivotal cellular redox signaling mechanisms.     

Overlapping roles of the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial redox regulatory systems in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Thioredoxins are small, highly conserved oxidoreductases which are required to maintain the redox homeostasis of the cell. Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains a cytoplasmic thioredoxin system (TRX1, TRX2, and TRR1) as well as a complete mitochondrial thioredoxin system, comprising a thioredoxin (TRX3) and a thioredoxin reductase (TRR2). In the present study we have analyzed the functional overlap between the two systems. By constructing mutant strains with deletions of both the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic systems (trr1 trr2 and trx1 trx2 trx3), we show that cells can survive in the absence of both systems. Analysis of the redox state of the cytoplasmic thioredoxins reveals that they are maintained independently of the mitochondrial system. Similarly, analysis of the redox state of Trx3 reveals that it is maintained in the reduced form in wild-type cells and in mutants lacking components of the cytoplasmic thioredoxin system (trx1 trx2 or trr1). Surprisingly, the redox state of Trx3 is also unaffected by the loss of the mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase (trr2) and is largely maintained in the reduced form unless cells are exposed to an oxidative stress. Since glutathione reductase (Glr1) has been shown to colocalize to the cytoplasm and mitochondria, we examined whether loss of GLR1 influences the redox state of Trx3. During normal growth conditions, deletion of TRR2 and GLR1 was found to result in partial oxidation of Trx3, indicating that both Trr2 and Glr1 are required to maintain the redox state of Trx3. The oxidation of Trx3 in this double mutant is even more pronounced during oxidative stress or respiratory growth conditions. Taken together, these data indicate that Glr1 and Trr2 have an overlapping function in the mitochondria.     

叠氮钠损伤的神经元内硫氧还蛋白mRNA水平的变化

氧化应激与许多神经退变病有关,而线粒体损伤是氧化应激加剧的重要原因。本文通过细胞活性检测(MTT法)、形态学观察,分析NaN_3对原代培养神经元的损伤作用,并通过RT-PCR半定量检测NaN_3损伤后神经元内疏氧还蛋白(Thioredoxin,Trx)mRNA水平的改变,以阐明这一重要的氧还调节蛋白在神经元损伤过程中的作用。实验表明NaN_3以浓度和时间依赖方式损伤神经元,降低Trx表达水平。提示:神经元内呼吸链受损引起Trx表达减少,从而减弱神经元内氧还调节功能,最终引起神经元损伤、死亡。     

Thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase: Current research with special reference to human disease

Thioredoxin (Trx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) plus NADPH, comprising the thioredoxin system, has a large number of functions in DNA synthesis, defense against oxidative stress and apoptosis or redox signaling with reference to many diseases. All three isoenzymes of mammalian TrxR contain an essential selenocysteine residue, which is the target of several drugs in cancer treatment or mercury intoxication. The cytosolic Trx1 acting as the cells’ protein disulfide reductase is itself reversibly redox regulated via three structural Cys residues. The evolution of mammalian Trx system compared to its prokaryotic counterparts may be an adaptation to the use of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide in redox regulation and signal transduction.