Reduction of the active-site iron by potent inhibitors of lipoxygenases.

Lipoxygenases are non-heme iron dioxygenases that catalyze the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Using soybean lipoxygenase-1 as a model, we have shown that two classes of lipoxygenase inhibitors currently in development as potential antiinflammatory agents obtain a significant amount of their potency by reducing the lipoxygenase active-site iron from the active ferric state to the inactive ferrous state. It is not surprising that the members of the first of these classes, the 2-benzyl-1-naphthols, are reducing agents. The members of the second class, the N-alkyl-hydroxamic acids, were not anticipated to be sufficiently strong reducing agents to be oxidized by the lipoxygenase ferric center; that they are provides additional evidence for that iron having a high reduction potential. This brings to (at least) five the number of classes of lipoxygenase inhibitors that are capable of reducing the active-site ferric ion and suggests the generality of this approach in the rational design of lipoxygenase inhibitors.     

Development of a new colorimetric assay for lipoxygenase activity

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are a family of non-heme iron-containing dioxygenases that catalyze the hydroperoxidation of lipids, containing a cis,cis-1,4-pentadiene structure. A rapid and reliable colorimetric assay for determination of the activity of three human functional lipoxygenase isoforms (5-lipoxygenase, platelet 12-lipoxygenase, and 15-lipoxygenase-1) is developed in this article. In the new assay, LOX-derived lipid hydroperoxides oxidize the ferrous ion (Fe²⁺) to the ferric ion (Fe³⁺), the latter of which binds with thiocyanate (SCN^–) to generate a red ferrithiocyanate (FTC) complex. The absorbance of the FTC complex can be easily measured at 480 nm. Because 5-LOX can be stimulated by many cofactors, the effects of its cofactors (Ca²⁺, ATP, dithiothreitol, glutathione, l-α-phosphatidylcholine, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) on the color development of the FTC complex are also determined. The assay is adaptive for purified LOXs and cell lysates containing active LOXs. We use the new colorimetric assay in a 96-well format to evaluate several well-known LOX inhibitors, the IC₅₀ values of which are in good agreement with previously reported data. The reliability and reproducibility of the assay make it useful for in vitro screening for inhibitors of LOXs and, therefore, should accelerate drug discovery for clinical application.     

Selective inhibition of platelet lipoxygenase by baicalein

The effects of various flavonoids on platelet lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase activities were studied. Baicalein selectively inhibited platelet lipoxygenase. The concentration for 50% inhibition (ID₅₀) was 0.12 μM for platelet lipoxygenase and 0.83 mM for platelet cyclooxygenase. Therefore, the ID₅₀ value for the cyclooxygenase was 6917 times that for the lipoxygenase. Baicalin also selectively inhibited the lipoxygenase, but it was less potent (ID₅₀=100 μM). Other flavonoids tested had no inhibitory effect on either enzyme.     

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Study on Some 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors

Abstract

A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) study has been made on some lipoxygenase inhibitors belonging to the series of ω-phenylalkyl hydroxamic acids, ω-naphthylalkyl hydroxamic acids, eicosatetraenoic acids, and 1H.benzimidazole-4-ols. It was found that the hydrophobic character of the molecules and the size of their substituents selectively govern their lipoxygenase inhibitory activity. The enzyme active site possesses a non-heme ferric ion, a hydrophobic domain, and a carboxylic acid binding site. It was found that while the functional group of inhibitors must interact with the ferric ion, the substituent on one side of it would be involved in hydrophobic interaction and that on the other side in van der Waals interaction with the enzyme so leading to an enhancement in the inhibitory activity of the inhibitors.     

Quantitative structure-activity relationship study on some 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors

A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) study has been made on some lipoxygenase inhibitors belonging to the series of omega-phenylalkyl hydroxamic acids, omega-naphthylalkyl hydroxamic acids, eicosatetraenoic acids, and 1H.benzimidazole-4-ols. It was found that the hydrophobic character of the molecules and the size of their substituents selectively govern their lipoxygenase inhibitory activity. The enzyme active site possesses a non-heme ferric ion, a hydrophobic domain, and a carboxylic acid binding site. It was found that while the functional group of inhibitors must interact with the ferric ion, the substituent on one side of it would be involved in hydrophobic interaction and that on the other side in van der Waals interaction with the enzyme so leading to an enhancement in the inhibitory activity of the inhibitors.     

Iron chelators inhibit human platelet aggregation, thromboxane A2 synthesis and lipoxygenase activity

The iron chelators desferrioxamine and 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one (L1) inhibited human platelet aggregation in vitro as well as thromboxane A2 synthesis and conversion of arachidonate to lipoxygenase-derived products. Non-chelating compounds related to L1 were without effect on cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase activity. Since both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase are iron-containing enzymes, it is suggested that the inhibition of platelet function by these iron chelators may be related to the removal or binding of iron associated with these enzymes. These iron chelators may therefore be of potential therapeutic value as platelet antiaggregatory agents and of possible use in the treatment of atherosclerotic and inflammatory joint diseases.     

Helicobacter pylori urease activates blood platelets through a lipoxygenase‐mediated pathway

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori causes peptic ulcers and gastric cancer in human beings by mechanisms yet not fully understood. H. pylori produces urease which neutralizes the acidic medium permitting its survival in the stomach. We have previously shown that ureases from jackbean, soybean or Bacillus pasteurii induce blood platelet aggregation independently of their enzyme activity by a pathway requiring platelet secretion, activation of calcium channels and lipoxygenase‐derived eicosanoids. We investigated whether H. pylori urease displays platelet‐activating properties and defined biochemical pathways involved in this phenomenon. For that the effects of purified recombinant H. pylori urease (HPU) added to rabbit platelets were assessed turbidimetrically. ATP secretion and production of lipoxygenase metabolites by activated platelets were measured. Fluorescein‐labelled HPU bound to platelets but not to erythrocytes. HPU induced aggregation of rabbit platelets (ED₅₀ 0.28 μM) accompanied by ATP secretion. No correlation was found between platelet activation and ureolytic activity of HPU. Platelet aggregation was blocked by esculetin (12‐lipoxygenase inhibitor) and enhanced ～3‐fold by indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor). A metabolite of 12‐lipoxygenase was produced by platelets exposed to HPU. Platelet responses to HPU did not involve platelet‐activating factor, but required activation of verapamil‐inhibitable calcium channels. Our data show that purified H. pylori urease activates blood platelets at submicromolar concentrations. This property seems to be common to ureases regardless of their source (plant or bacteria) or quaternary structure (single, di‐ or tri‐chain proteins). These properties of HPU could play an important role in pathogenesis of gastrointestinal and associated cardiovascular diseases caused by H. pylori.     

Biosynthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2) and 12L-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) by pericardium, pleura, peritoneum and aorta of the rabbit

Prostacyclin generation by pericardium, pleura, peritoneum, aorta and dura mater of the rabbit was assessed as platelet aggregation inhibitory activity in platelet rich plasma. All tissues except the dura mater, were also incubated with labelled (1-¹⁴C) arachidonic acid and (1-¹⁴C) prostaglandin endoperoxide H₂ and the various metabolites formed were identified radiochromatographically. Pericardium, pleura and peritoneum form substantially high amounts of prostacyclin and HETE indicating that these tissues contain both cyclo-oxygenase and prostacyclin-synthetase. They also show considerable lipoxygenase activity.     

Hemin and hemeprotein bleaching during linoleic acid oxidation by lipoxygenases

Hemin and hemoglobin are bleached by lipoxygenases, type 1 (from soybean) or type 2 (from platelets), during linoleic acid oxidation. This process has been found to be related to the inhibition of the lipoxygenase activity, measured as hydroperoxide generation and to produce oxodienes as well. All these parameters have been determined simultaneously from measurements of the absorbance at 234, 285, 375 and 410 nm to detect hydroperoxides, oxodienes, hemin and hemoglobin, respectively, using a diode array spectrophotometer. The inhibition of lipoxygenase activity by these pigments has been found to be competitive with linoleic acid, showing an increase of 4-7-fold of the Km value of linoleic acid in the presence of concentrations of hemin and hemoglobin as low as 0.2 and 0.02 microM, respectively, for the case of platelet lipoxygenase activity. The concentrations of hemin and of hemoglobin producing the inhibition of 50% of lipoxygenase activity are: 0.25 and 0.02 microM for the platelet isoenzyme, and 1.4 and 0.18 microM for the soybean isoenzyme, respectively. From the quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of soybean lipoxygenase activity by hemin, we have obtained a dissociation constant of hemin-soybean lipoxygenase of 0.5 microM. The results obtained in this paper for the cooxidation process of hemin and hemoglobin by lipoxygenase can be rationalized in terms of hemin binding at or near to the catalytic center, resulting in a lesser binding of linoleic acid and an enhanced release of radicals, and pigment bleaching by radicals and lipid hydroperoxides.     

Subcellular localization and some properties of lipoxygenase activity in human blood platelets.

Lipoxygenase activity was measured in human platelet subcellular fractions. From a sonicated platelet preparation, a granule fraction, mixed membranes (surface and intracellular) and cytosol fractions were separated by differential centrifugation. With respect to activities in the sonicated preparation, the lipoxygenase was slightly enriched in both the cytosol and mixed-membrane fractions and consistently de-enriched in the granule fractions. Approx. 65% and 20% of the total cell enzyme activity were found in the cytosol and mixed membranes respectively, with only 8% present in the granule fraction. Additionally we measured the lipoxygenase activity in purified surface- and intracellular-membrane subfractions prepared from the mixed membranes by free-flow electrophoresis. There was a slight enrichment in activity in the intracellular membrane fraction compared with that in the mixed membranes, and a depletion of activity in the surface membranes. Characterization of the enzyme activity, i.e. time course, pH-dependence, Ca2+-dependence, Vmax. and Km for arachidonic acid, and the carbon-position specificity for this acid, failed to reveal any significant differences between the membrane-bound and soluble forms of the lipoxygenase. These findings suggest that in human platelets the same lipoxygenase is associated with the membranes as in the cytosol and that the membrane-bound activity predominates in intracellular membrane elements.     

Self-inactivation by 13-hydroperoxylinoleic acid and lipohydroperoxidase activity of the reticulocyte lipoxygenase

1. The self-inactivation of lipoxygenase from rabbit reticulocytes with linoleic acid at 37 degrees C is caused by the product 13-hydroperoxylinoleic acid. This inactivation is promoted by either oxygen or linoleic acid. 2. Lipohydroperoxidase activity was demonstrated with 13-hydroperoxylinoleic acid plus linoleic acid as hydrogen donor under anaerobic conditions at 2 degrees C. The products were 13-hydroxylinoleic acid, oxodienes and compounds of non-diene structure similar to those produced by soybean lipoxygenase-1. 3. 13-Hydroperoxylinoleic acid also changed the absorbance and fluorescence properties of reticulocyte lipoxygenase. The results indicate that one equivalent of 13-hydroperoxylinoleic acid converts the enzyme from the ferrous state into the ferric state as described for soybean lipoxygenase-1. The spectral changes were reversed by sodium borohydride at 2 degrees C, but not at 37 degrees C; it is assumed that the ferric form of reticulocyte lipoxygenase suffers inactivation.     

Lipoxygenase activities of human platelets and their subcellular fractions: Comparison between lipoxygenase-deficient platelets and normal platelets

Lipoxygenase activities were estimated in washed platelets (intact platelets) and their subcellular fractions obtained from 7 patients with deficient platelet lipoxygenase activities and 9 normal subjects. From sonicated platelet preparations, 12,000 g supernatant (F-I), cytosol (F-II) and microsomal fractions (F-III) were prepared by differential centrifugation. When 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) produced by the incubation of arachidonic acid with intact platelets or each of their subcellular fractions from normal subjects was measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, the lipoxygenase activities of F-I, F-II and F-III were 87%, 31% and 17%, respectively, of the enzyme activity of intact platelets. One of the patients showed no detectable lipoxygenase activity in any preparation, while the other patients showed reduced enzyme activities in all preparations. The addition of CaCl2 significantly increased 12-HETE synthesis solely by F-I from these patients. In most of these patients, contrary to normal subjects, it appeared that the lipoxygenase activity was not fully expressed in intact platelets, since the F-I produced more 12-HETE than the intact platelets.     

Formation of free radical metabolites in the reaction between soybean lipoxygenase and its inhibitors. An ESR study

Recent studies showed that soybean lipoxygenase inhibitors like phenidone and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) reduce the catalytically active ferric lipoxygenase to its inactive ferrous form. Addition of 13(S)-hydroperoxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPOD) regenerated the active ferric form. In this paper, it is shown that in such a system the inhibitors are oxidized to free-radical metabolites. Incubation of soybean lipoxygenase and linoleic acid with p-aminophenol, catechol, hydroquinone, NDGA, or phenidone resulted in the formation of the one-electron oxidation products of these compounds. Free-radical formation depended upon the presence of the lipoxygenase and 13-HPOD. The free radicals were detected by ESR spectroscopy, and their structure was confirmed by analysis of the spectra, using a computer correlation technique. These data support the proposed mechanism for the inhibition of lipoxygenase by phenolic antioxidants.     

cDNA cloning of 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and 12-lipoxygenases of bovine corneal epithelium

Bovine corneal epithelium contains arachidonate 12- and 15-lipoxygenase activity, while human corneal epithelium contains only 15-lipoxygenase activity. Our purpose was to identify the corneal 12- and 15-lipoxygenase isozymes. We used cDNA cloning to isolate the amino acid coding nucleotide sequences of two bovine lipoxygenases. The translated sequence of one lipoxygenase was 82% identical with human 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and 75% identical with mouse 8-lipoxygenase, whereas the other translated nucleotide sequence was 87% identical with human 12-lipoxygenase of the platelet type. Expression of 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and platelet type 12-lipoxygenase mRNAs were detected by Northern analysis. In addition to these two lipoxygenases, 12-lipoxygenase of leukocyte (tracheal) type was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, and Northern analysis. Finally, PCR and sequencing suggested that human corneal epithelium contains 15-lipoxygenase types 1 and 2.     

cDNA cloning of 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and 12-lipoxygenases of bovine corneal epithelium1

Bovine corneal epithelium contains arachidonate 12- and 15-lipoxygenase activity, while human corneal epithelium contains only 15-lipoxygenase activity. Our purpose was to identify the corneal 12- and 15-lipoxygenase isozymes. We used cDNA cloning to isolate the amino acid coding nucleotide sequences of two bovine lipoxygenases. The translated sequence of one lipoxygenase was 82% identical with human 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and 75% identical with mouse 8-lipoxygenase, whereas the other translated nucleotide sequence was 87% identical with human 12-lipoxygenase of the platelet type. Expression of 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and platelet type 12-lipoxygenase mRNAs were detected by Northern analysis. In addition to these two lipoxygenases, 12-lipoxygenase of leukocyte (tracheal) type was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, and Northern analysis. Finally, PCR and sequencing suggested that human corneal epithelium contains 15-lipoxygenase types 1 and 2.     

Arsenic precipitation in the bioleaching of enargite by Sulfolobus BC at 70 °C

Enargite (Cu₃AsS₄) was leached at 70°C by Sulfolobus BC in shake-flasks. The highest copper dissolution (52% after 550 h of leaching) was obtained with bacteria and 1 g l^–1 ferric ion. In the absence of ferric ion, Sulfolobus BC catalyzes the bioleaching of enargite through a direct mechanism after adhesion onto the mineral surface. In ferric bioleaching, arsenic precipitated as ferric arsenate and arsenic remained associated to the solid residues, preventing the presence of a high dissolved arsenic concentration in the leaching solution. About 90% inhibition of bacterial growth rate and activity was observed for dissolved arsenic concentrations above 600 mg l^–1 for As(III) and above 1000 mg l^–1 for As(V). Arsenic-bearing copper ores and concentrates could be leached by Sulfolobus BC in the presence of ferric iron due to the favourable precipitation of arsenic ion as ferric arsenate, avoiding significant bacterial inhibition.     

Inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase 1 by N-alkylhydroxylamines

Micromolar concentrations of N-octylhydroxylamine dramatically increase the induction period in the conversion of linoleic acid to 13(S)-hydroperoxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPOD) catalyzed by soybean lipoxygenase 1. The induction period produced by N-octylhydroxylamine is abolished by 13-HPOD but not by the corresponding hydroxy acid. Addition of a catalytic amount of lipoxygenase to a mixture of 13-HPOD and N-octylhydroxylamine results in consumption of approximately 1 mumol of 13-HPOD/mumol of N-octylhydroxylamine present. These results can be explained by a model in which 13-HPOD oxidizes the enzyme from an inactive ferrous form to an active ferric form, as proposed by previous workers, and N-octylhydroxylamine reduces the enzyme back to the ferrous form. Consistent with this model, the ESR signal at g = 6.1 characteristic of ferric lipoxygenase is rapidly abolished by N-octylhydroxylamine and can be regenerated by 13-HPOD. These results provide additional support for earlier proposals that ferric lipoxygenase is the catalytically active form and also establish a novel method of inhibiting enzymes in this class. The octyl group of N-octylhydroxylamine appears to contribute to binding near the iron, since hydroxylamine and N-methylhydroxylamine do not extend the induction period. In the n-RNHOH series, activity passes through an optimum at R = decyl.     

Inhibition Mode of Soybean Lipoxygenase‐1 by Quercetin

Quercetin noncompetitively inhibited the peroxidation of linoleic acid catalyzed by soybean lipoxygenase‐1 (EC 1.13.11.12, Type 1) with an IC₅₀ value of 4.8 μM (1.45 μg/ml). This inhibition is considered to proceed in sequential order, by initially reducing the ferric form of the enzyme to an inactive ferrous form and then, by chelating the iron of the active site of the enzyme. In the pseudoperoxidase assay, quercetin was slowly oxidized by hydroperoxides to a rather stable intermediate, 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxybenzoyl)‐2,4,6‐trihydroxybenzofuran‐3(2H)‐one, and this oxidized intermediate still inhibited the enzymatic oxidation, probably as a chelator. Rutin and kaempferol also exhibited lipoxygenase‐1 inhibitory activity, but to a much lesser extent than quercetin.     

Direct measurements of ferric reductase activity of human 101F6 and its enhancement upon reconstitution into phospholipid bilayer nanodisc

We studied human 101F6 protein to clarify its physiological function as a ferric reductase and its relationship to tumor suppression activity. We found for the first time that purified 101F6 both in detergent micelle state and in phospholipid bilayer nanodisc state has an authentic ferric reductase activity by single turnover kinetic analyses. The kinetic analysis on the ferrous heme oxidation of reduced 101F6 upon the addition of a ferric substrate, ferric ammonium citrate (FAC), showed concentration-dependent accelerations of its reaction with reasonable values of K_M and V_max. We further verified the authenticity of the ferric reductase activity of 101F6 using nitroso-PSAP as a Fe²⁺-specific colorimetric chelator. 101F6 in nanodisc state showed higher efficiency for FAC than in detergent micelle state.     

On the mechanism of the oxygenation of arachidonic acid by human platelet lipoxygenase

Formation of 12L-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid from [10L-³H; 3-¹⁴C]arachidonic acid in suspensions of human platelets occurred with extensive loss of tritium and was accompanied by an isotope effect. These experiments showed that there is an antarafacial relation between the elimination of hydrogen from C-10 and insertion of oxygen at C-12 by human platelet lipoxygenase, and that the hydrogen elimination probably occurs as the initial step of the conversion. (Endo) peroxide intermediates formed by the fatty acid cyclo-oxygenase pathway activated platelet lipoxygenase.