Mice deficient in Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase are resistant to acetaminophen toxicity

Although antioxidants are used to treat an overdose of the analgaesic/antipyretic drug APAP (acetaminophen), roles of antioxidant enzymes in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity remain controversial. Our objective was to determine impacts of knockout of SOD1 (superoxide dismutase; Cu,Zn-SOD) alone or in combination with selenium-dependent GPX1 (glutathione peroxidase-1) on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. All SOD1-null (SOD1-/-) and SOD1- and GPX1-double-knockout mice survived an intraperitoneal injection of 600 mg of APAP per kg of body mass, whereas 75% of WT (wild-type) and GPX1-null mice died within 20 h. Survival time of SOD1-/- mice injected with 1200 mg of APAP per kg of body mass was longer than that of the WT mice (934 compared with 315 min, P<0.05). The APAP-treated SOD1-/- mice had less (P<0.05) plasma ALT (alanine aminotransferase) activity increase and attenuated (P<0.05) hepatic glutathione depletion than the WT mice. The protection conferred by SOD1 deletion was associated with a block of the APAP-mediated hepatic protein nitration and a 50% reduction (P<0.05) in activity of a key APAP metabolism enzyme CYP2E1 (cytochrome P450 2E1) in liver. The SOD1 deletion also caused moderate shifts in the APAP metabolism profiles. In conclusion, deletion of SOD1 alone or in combination with GPX1 greatly enhanced mouse resistance to APAP overdose. Our results suggest a possible pro-oxidant role for the physiological level of SOD1 activity in APAP-mediated hepatotoxicity.     

Double null of selenium-glutathione peroxidase-1 and copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase enhances resistance of mouse primary hepatocytes to acetaminophen toxicity

This study was conducted to determine the impact of knockout of selenium (Se)-dependent glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX1-/-) or double knockout of GPX1 and copper, zinc (Cu,Zn)-super-oxide dismutase (SOD1) on cell death induced by acetaminophen (APAP) and its major toxic metabolite N-acetyl-P-benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI). Primary hepatocytes were isolated from GPX1-/-, double knockout of GPX1 and SOD1 (DKO), and their wild-type (WT) mice and were treated with 5 mM APAP or 100 microM NAPQI for 0, 6, and 12 hrs. Compared with the WT cells, the GPX1-/- and DKO hepatocytes were more resistant (P < 0.05) to the APAP-induced cell death but less resistant to the NAPQI-induced cell death. The APAP-mediated glutathione (GSH) depletion was greater (P < 0.05) at 6 hrs in the WT cells than in the GPX1-/- and DKO cells, whereas there was no genotype effect on the NAPQI-mediated GSH depletion. The DKO cells had lower (P < 0.05) microsomal cytochrome P450 2E1 activities, but higher (P < 0.05) glutathione reductase and thioredoxin reductase activities than the WT cells at 0 hrs, and they responded differently to the APAP and NAPQI treatments. Glutathione-S-transferase activity was not affected by genotypes or treatments. Neither APAP nor NAPQI induced nitric oxide production or protein nitration in cells of any genotype. However, the GPX1-/- and DKO cells were more resistant to peroxynitrite-mediated protein nitration than were the WT cells. In conclusion, double null of GPX1 and SOD1 enhanced the resistance of mouse primary hepatocytes to APAP toxicity by affecting events prior to or at NAPQI formation. While the double knockout attenuated the peroxynitrite-mediated protein nitration in hepatocytes, no protein nitration was detected in these cells treated with APAP or NAPQI.     

Lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatic oxidative injury is not potentiated by knockout of GPX1 and SOD1 in mice

Knockout of copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and (or) cellular glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) has been reported to have dual impacts on coping with free radical-induced oxidative injury. Because bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers inflammatory responses involving the release of cytokines, nitric oxide and superoxide in targeted organs such as liver, in this study we used SOD1 knockout (SOD1−/−), GPX1 knockout (GPX1−/−), GPX1 and SOD1 double-knockout (DKO) and their wild-type (WT) mice to investigate the role of these two antioxidant enzymes in LPS-induced oxidative injury in liver. Mice of the four genotypes (2 month old) were killed at 0, 3, 6 or 12 h after an i.p. injection of saline or 5 mg LPS/kg body weight. The LPS injection caused similar increase in plasma alanine aminotransferase among the four genotypes. Hepatic total glutathione (GSH) was decreased (P < 0.05) compared with the initial values by the LPS injection at all time points in the WT mice, but only at 6 and 12 h in the other three genotypes. The GSH level in the DKO mice was higher (P < 0.05) than in the WT at 6 h. Although the LPS injection resulted in substantial increases in plasma NO in a time-dependent manner in all genotypes, the NO level in the DKO mice was lower (P < 0.05) at 3, 6 and 12 h than in the WT. The level in the GPX1−/− and SOD1−/− mice was also lower (P < 0.05) than in the WT at 3 h. The LPS-mediated hepatic protein nitration was detected in the WT and GPX1−/− mice at 3, 6 or 12 h, but not in the SOD1−/−. In conclusion, knockout of SOD1 and (or) GPX1 did not potentiate the LPS-induced liver injury, but delayed the induced hepatic GSH depletion and plasma NO production.     

Impact of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase-1 knockouts on acetaminophen-induced cell death and related signaling in murine liver

There is increasing evidence showing dual functions of antioxidant enzymes in coping with reactive oxygen species (ROS) versus reactive nitrogen species (RNS). The objective of this study was to compare the impacts of knockout of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX1) on cell death and related signaling mediated by acetaminophen (APAP), a RNS inducer in liver. Two groups of young adult knockout mice (SOD1(-/-) and GPX1(-/-)), along with their wild types (WT), were killed 5 hrs after an ip injection of saline or APAP (300 mg/kg body wt). While the WT mice showed more hepatic necrosis and DNA breakage than the GPX1(-/-) mice, the SOD1(-/-) mice had essentially no positive response compared with their saline-injected controls. The APAP treatment activated liver c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the WT and GPX1(-/-) mice, but not in the SOD1(-/-) mice. The APAP-induced changes in other cell death-related signal proteins such as p21, caspase-3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) also were obviated in the SOD1(-/-) mice. In conclusion, knockout of GPX1 did not potentiate APAP-induced cell death and related signaling, whereas the SOD1 null blocked APAP-induced hepatic JNK phosphorylation and cell death.     

Cyclophilin D deficiency protects against acetaminophen-induced oxidant stress and liver injury

Acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity is the main cause of acute liver failure in humans. Although mitochondrial oxidant stress and induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) have been implicated in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, the link between these events is unclear. To investigate this, this study evaluated APAP hepatotoxicity in mice deficient of cyclophilin D, a protein component of the MPT. Treatment of wild type mice with APAP resulted in focal centrilobular necrosis, nuclear DNA fragmentation and formation of reactive oxygen (elevated glutathione disulphide levels) and peroxynitrite (nitrotyrosine immunostaining) in the liver. CypD-deficient (Ppif(-/-)) mice were completely protected against APAP-induced liver injury and DNA fragmentation. Oxidant stress and peroxynitrite formation were blunted but not eliminated in CypD-deficient mice. Thus, mitochondrial oxidative stress and induction of the MPT are critical events in APAP hepatotoxicity in vivo and at least part of the APAP-induced oxidant stress and peroxynitrite formation occurs downstream of the MPT.     

Involvement of Toll-like receptor 4 in acetaminophen hepatotoxicity

The objective of this study was to determine whether Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has a role in alcohol-mediated acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity. TLR4 is involved in the inflammatory response to endotoxin. Others have found that ethanol-mediated liver disease is decreased in C3H/HeJ mice, which have a mutated TLR4 resulting in a decreased response to endotoxin compared with endotoxin-responsive mice. In the present study, short-term (1 wk) pretreatment with ethanol plus isopentanol, the predominant alcohols in alcoholic beverages, caused no histologically observed liver damage in either C3H/HeJ mice or endotoxin-responsive C3H/HeN mice, despite an increase in nitrotyrosine levels in the livers of C3H/HeN mice. In C3H/HeN mice pretreated with the alcohols, subsequent exposure to APAP caused a transient decrease in liver nitrotyrosine formation, possibly due to competitive interaction of peroxynitrite with APAP producing 3-nitroacetaminophen. Treatment with APAP alone resulted in steatosis in addition to congestion and necrosis in both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice, but the effects were more severe in endotoxin-responsive C3H/HeN mice. In alcohol-pretreated endotoxin-responsive C3H/HeN mice, subsequent exposure to APAP resulted in further increases in liver damage, including severe steatosis, associated with elevated plasma levels of TNF-alpha. In contrast, alcohol pretreatment of C3H/HeJ mice caused little to no increase in APAP hepatotoxicity and no increase in plasma TNF-alpha. Portal blood endotoxin levels were very low and were not detectably elevated by any of the treatments. In conclusion, this study implicates a role of TLR4 in APAP-mediated hepatotoxicity.     

Identification of Novel Translational Urinary Biomarkers for Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury Using Proteomic Profiling in Mice

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the leading cause of acute liver failure. Currently, no adequate predictive biomarkers for DILI are available. This study describes a translational approach using proteomic profiling for the identification of urinary proteins related to acute liver injury induced by acetaminophen (APAP). Mice were given a single intraperitoneal dose of APAP (0–350 mg/kg bw) followed by 24 h urine collection. Doses of ≥275 mg/kg bw APAP resulted in hepatic centrilobular necrosis and significantly elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values (p<0.0001). Proteomic profiling resulted in the identification of 12 differentially excreted proteins in urine of mice with acute liver injury (p<0.001), including superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), carbonic anhydrase 3 (CA3) and calmodulin (CaM), as novel biomarkers for APAP-induced liver injury. Urinary levels of SOD1 and CA3 increased with rising plasma ALT levels, but urinary CaM was already present in mice treated with high dose of APAP without elevated plasma ALT levels. Importantly, we showed in human urine after APAP intoxication the presence of SOD1 and CA3, whereas both proteins were absent in control urine samples. Urinary concentrations of CaM were significantly increased and correlated well with plasma APAP concentrations (r = 0.97; p<0.0001) in human APAP intoxicants, who did not present with elevated plasma ALT levels. In conclusion, using this urinary proteomics approach we demonstrate CA3, SOD1 and, most importantly, CaM as potential human biomarkers for APAP-induced liver injury.     

Role of superoxide-nitric oxide interactions in the accelerated age-related loss of muscle mass in mice lacking Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase

Mice lacking Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) show accelerated, age-related loss of muscle mass. Lack of SOD1 may lead to increased superoxide, reduced nitric oxide (NO), and increased peroxynitrite, each of which could initiate muscle fiber loss. Single muscle fibers from flexor digitorum brevis of wild-type (WT) and Sod1(-/-) mice were loaded with NO-sensitive (4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein diacetate, DAF-FM) and superoxide-sensitive (dihydroethidium, DHE) probes. Gastrocnemius muscles were analyzed for SOD enzymes, nitric oxide synthases (NOS), and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) content. A lack of SOD1 did not increase superoxide availability at rest because no increase in ethidium or 2-hydroxyethidium (2-HE) formation from DHE was seen in fibers from Sod1(-/-) mice compared with those from WT mice. Fibers from Sod1(-/-) mice had decreased NO availability (decreased DAF-FM fluorescence), increased 3-NT in muscle proteins indicating increased peroxynitrite formation and increased content of peroxiredoxin V (a peroxynitrite reductase), compared with WT mice. Muscle fibers from Sod1(-/-) mice showed substantially reduced generation of superoxide in response to contractions compared with fibers from WT mice. Inhibition of NOS did not affect DHE oxidation in fibers from WT or Sod1(-/-) mice at rest or during contractions, but transgenic mice overexpressing nNOS showed increased DAF-FM fluorescence and reduced DHE oxidation in resting muscle fibers. It is concluded that formation of peroxynitrite in muscle fibers is a major effect of lack of SOD1 in Sod1(-/-) mice and may contribute to fiber loss in this model, and that NO regulates superoxide availability and peroxynitrite formation in muscle.     

Role of interleukin-6 in hepatic heat shock protein expression and protection against acetaminophen-induced liver disease

Recent experimental data suggest that the idiosyncratic nature of drug-induced liver disease (DILD) may be due in part to a deficiency of one or more hepatoprotective factors. In this study we have investigated whether interleukin (IL)-6 may also be one of these factors. Following the induction of liver injury with acetaminophen (APAP), a time-dependent increase in liver mRNA expression of IL-6 and its family members IL-11, leukemia inhibitory factor, and oncostatin M was observed in wild type (WT) mice, suggesting a possible hepatoprotective role played by this cytokine family. Indeed, mice lacking IL-6 (IL-6-/-) were more susceptible than were WT mice to APAP-induced liver injury. The increased susceptibility of the IL-6-/- mice was associated with a deficiency in the expression of hepatic heat shock protein (HSP)25, 32, and 40 as well as inducible HSP70 following APAP treatment. These results suggest that IL-6 and possibly other family members may protect the liver from injury, at least in part, by up-regulating the hepatic expression of several cytoprotective HSPs.     

Post-treatment with glycyrrhizin can attenuate hepatic mitochondrial damage induced by acetaminophen in mice

Overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) is responsible for the most cases of acute liver failure worldwide. Hepatic mitochondrial damage mediated by neuronal nitric oxide synthase- (nNOS) induced liver protein tyrosine nitration plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of APAP hepatotoxicity. It has been reported that pre-treatment or co-treatment with glycyrrhizin can protect against hepatotoxicity through prevention of hepatocellular apoptosis. However, the majority of APAP-induced acute liver failure cases are people intentionally taking the drug to commit suicide. Any preventive treatment is of little value in practice. In addition, the hepatocellular damage induced by APAP is considered to be oncotic necrosis rather than apoptosis. In the present study, our aim is to investigate if glycyrrhizin can be used therapeutically and the underlying mechanisms of APAP hepatotoxicity protection. Hepatic damage was induced by 300 mg/kg APAP in balb/c mice, followed with administration of 40, 80, or 160 mg/kg glycyrrhizin 90 min later. Mice were euthanized and harvested at 6 h post-APAP. Compared with model controls, glycyrrhizin post-treatment attenuated hepatic mitochondrial and hepatocellular damages, as indicated by decreased serum glutamate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase activities as well as ameliorated mitochondrial swollen, distortion, and hepatocellular necrosis. Notably, 80 mg/kg glycyrrhizin inhibited hepatic nNOS activity and its mRNA and protein expression levels by 16.9, 14.9, and 28.3%, respectively. These results were consistent with the decreased liver nitric oxide content and liver protein tyrosine nitration indicated by 3-nitrotyrosine staining. Moreover, glycyrrhizin did not affect the APAP metabolic activation, and the survival rate of ALF mice was increased by glycyrrhizin. The present study indicates that post-treatment with glycyrrhizin can dose-dependently attenuate hepatic mitochondrial damage and inhibit the up-regulation of hepatic nNOS induced by APAP. Glycyrrhizin shows promise as drug for the treatment of APAP hepatotoxicity.     

Interleukin 6 and hepatocyte regeneration in acetaminophen toxicity in the mouse

To determine the importance of IL-6 in acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity, wild type (WT) and IL-6 knock out (KO) mice were dosed with APAP (300 mg/kg i.p.) and sacrificed at 4 and 24h. No differences were found between the two groups by analysis of serum AST levels or histopathology. Also, the relative amounts of APAP protein binding and nitrotyrosine formation were equal. Subsequently, WT and KO mice were dosed with APAP (300 mg/kg i.p.) and sacrificed at 24, 48, and 72 h. AST normalized by 48 h in the WT mice, but not until 72 h in the KO mice. The severity of the histopathological alterations was comparable in the two groups of mice; however, fewer regenerating hepatocytes were present in the KO mice. Immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) showed reduced staining in the KO mice. Pretreatment of KO mice with IL-6 lowered AST and normalized PCNA staining in the IL-6 KO mice. These data suggest that IL-6 is important in hepatocyte regeneration following APAP toxicity in the mouse.     

Peroxynitrite formation and decreased catalase activity in autoimmune MRL-lpr/lpr mice

BACKGROUND: (MRL)-lpr/lpr mice spontaneously develop autoimmune disease characterized by arthritis and glomerulonephritis. Nitric oxide is postulated to play a role in the disease pathogenesis, as mice treated with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA) show markedly reduced manifestations of the disease. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of peroxynitrite in disease development in MRL-lpr/lpr mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined kidney extracts from control and MRL-lpr/lpr mice for nitrotyrosine by immunoblot with a rabbit polyclonal anti-nitrotyrosine antibody. Catalase activity was determined spectrophotometrically or by activity staining of native polyacrylamide gels. In some experiments, we studied the ability of peroxynitrite and other agents to modify purified catalase in vitro. RESULTS: Kidney extracts from diseased mice had elevated levels of nitrotyrosine, and decreased levels of catalase activity and protein, relative to control mice. MRL-lpr/lpr mice treated with NMMA in vivo had decreased levels of nitrotyrosine, and demonstrated a partial restoration of both catalase activity and protein levels. Treatment of catalase in vitro with peroxynitrite or tetranitromethane at pH 8.0 resulted in protein nitration and a decrease in catalase activity. 1,3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), a peroxynitrite generator, also decreased the activity of catalase. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that peroxynitrite formation, with an associated decrease in catalase activity and general decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity, may result in increased levels of hydrogen peroxide and other oxidants that can contribute to the pathogenesis of disease in MRL-lpr/lpr mice.     

Determination of nitrotyrosine and related compounds in biological specimens by competitive enzyme immunoassay.

A gas mediator, nitric oxide is converted to peroxynitrite in the presence of superoxide anion. Peroxynitrite is a potent oxidant, which injures various tissues and organs by nitration of the tyrosine residues of proteins, and it enhances the late response of inflammation. The determination of nitrated tyrosine, nitrotyrosine, which is a stable final metabolite of peroxynitrite, provides an important indicator of tissue disorders caused by peroxynitrite. This paper reports a competitive solid-phase immunoassay for measuring nitrotyrosine in various biological specimens. In this study, peroxidase-conjugated nitrotyrosine was prepared by reaction of nitrotyrosine with 1,4-benzoquinone treatment, and then it was allowed to compete with nitrotyrosine on an anti-nitrotyrosine antibody-coated 96-well multiplate. No amino acids or related compounds tested in the experiments interfered with the immune reaction of nitrotyrosine, except cysteine, which only slightly inhibited the immune reaction at the concentrations higher than 1000 times the concentration of nitrotyrosine. The limit of detection of free nitrotyrosine was approximately 500 pg/mL (2 nM) at a competition ratio (B/B(o)%) of 80%. The newly developed enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method was used for assay of nitrotyrosine in biological specimens, with the following results: (i) Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation of RAW264.7 cells induced a significant increase in nitrotyrosine production compared to that with nonactivated cells. N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester decreased nitrotyrosine production with either LPS-activated or nonactivated RAW cells. There is a relationship between nitrotyrosine production and nitrite ion. (ii) The nitrotyrosine level detected in the plasma specimens from healthy volunteers was 35.21 +/- 4.87 ng/mL (135.4 +/- 18.7 nM). (iii) The concentration of nitrotyrosine in the nasal lavage fluid of allergic rhinitis patients was 41.40 +/- 20.96 ng/mL (159.02 +/- 80.6 nM). Thus, the EIA method combines sensitivity and specificity with the ability to process a large number of specimens to quantify nitrotyrosine produced with in vivo and in vitro sources.     

Reduced hepatic injury in Toll-like receptor 4-deficient mice following D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced fulminant hepatic failure

Liver transplantation is the only therapy of proven benefit in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), D-galactosamine (GalN)-induced FHF is a well established model of liver injury in mice. Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) has been identified as a receptor for LPS. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TLR4 in FHF induced by D-GalN/LPS administration in mice. Wild type (WT) and TLR4 deficient (TLR4ko) mice were studied in vivo in a fulminant model induced by GalN/LPS. Hepatic TLR4 expression, serum liver enzymes, hepatic and serum TNF-α and interleukin-1β levels were determined. Apoptotic cells were identified by immunohistochemistry for caspase-3. Nuclear factor-kappaβ (NF-κ β) and phosphorylated c-Jun hepatic expression were studied using Western blot analysis. All WT mice died within 24 hours after administration of GalN/LPS while all TLR4ko mice survived. Serum liver enzymes, interleukin-1β, TNF-α level, TLR4 mRNA expression, hepatic injury and hepatocyte apoptosis all significantly decreased in TLR4ko mice compared with WT mice. A significant decrease in hepatic c-Jun and IκB signaling pathway was noted in TLR4ko mice compared with WT mice. In conclusion, following induction of FHF, the inflammatory response and the liver injury in TLR4ko mice was significantly attenuated through decreased hepatic c-Jun and NF-κB expression and thus decreased TNF-α level. Down-regulation of TLR4 expression plays a pivotal role in GalN/LPS induced FHF. These findings might have important implications for the use of the anti TLR4 protein signaling as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in FHF.     

Increased nitration and diminished activity of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase in placentas from diabetic rats

Abstract

Nitration-induced protein damage in the placenta leads to impaired blood flow and deficient feto–placental exchange in diabetic pregnancies. This work studied the effect of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite on Cu/Zn SOD activity in rat placentas and evaluated whether Cu/Zn SOD is nitrated in the placenta from diabetic rats at mid-gestation. Protein nitration was evaluated by EIA, Cu/Zn SOD activity by inhibition of the epinephrine auto-oxidation, Cu/Zn SOD expression by western blot and specific nitration by immunoprecipitation. This study found higher levels of protein nitration (p < 0.001), diminished Cu/Zn SOD activity and enhanced protein expression (p < 0.01) in placentas from diabetic rats. Placental Cu/Zn SOD activity was inhibited by peroxynitrite (p < 0.01). Besides, nitration of Cu/Zn SOD was elevated in placentas from diabetic rats (p < 0.01). These results show that rat Cu/Zn SOD can be nitrated, a modification that could lead to the depressed activity of this enzyme found in placentas from diabetic rats.     

Tyrosine nitration impairs mammalian aldolase A activity

Protein tyrosine nitration increases in vivo as a result of oxidative stress and is elevated in numerous inflammatory-associated diseases. Mammalian fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolases are tyrosine nitrated in lung epithelial cells and liver, as well as in retina under different inflammatory conditions. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, we now show that aldolase A is nitrated in human skin fibroblasts. To reveal the consequences of tyrosine nitration, we studied the impact of peroxynitrite on the glycolytic functions of aldolase A. A peroxynitrite concentration-dependent decrease in fructose-1,6-bisphosphate cleavage activity was observed with a concomitant increase in nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity. Both V(max) and the K(m) for fructose-1,6-bisphosphate decreased after incubation with peroxynitrite. Aldolase nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity diminished following carboxypeptidase Y digestion, demonstrating that tyrosine residues in the carboxyl-terminal region of aldolase are major targets of nitration. Aldolase A contains a carboxyl-terminal tyrosine residue, Tyr(363), that is critical for its catalytic activity. Indeed, tandem mass spectrometric analysis of trypsin-digested aldolase showed that Tyr(363) is the most susceptible to nitration, with a modification of Tyr(342) occurring only after nitration of Tyr(363). These tyrosine nitrations likely result in altered interactions between the carboxyl-terminal region and enzyme substrate or reaction intermediates causing the decline in activity. The results suggest that tyrosine nitration of aldolase A can contribute to an impaired cellular glycolytic activity.     

Neuronal NOS-mediated nitration and inactivation of manganese superoxide dismutase in brain after experimental and human brain injury

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) provides the first line of defense against superoxide generated in mitochondria. SOD competes with nitric oxide for reaction with superoxide and prevents generation of peroxynitrite, a potent oxidant that can modify proteins to form 3-nitrotyrosine. Thus, sufficient amounts of catalytically competent MnSOD are required to prevent mitochondrial damage. Increased nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity has been reported after traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, the specific protein targets containing modified tyrosine residues and functional consequence of this modification have not been identified. In this study, we show that MnSOD is a target of tyrosine nitration that is associated with a decrease in its enzymatic activity after TBI in mice. Similar findings were obtained in temporal lobe cortical samples obtained from TBI cases versus control patients who died of causes not related to CNS trauma. Increased nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was detected at 2 h and 24 h versus 72 h after experimental TBI and co-localized with the neuronal marker NeuN. Inhibition and/or genetic deficiency of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) but not endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) attenuated MnSOD nitration after TBI. At 24 h after TBI, there was predominantly polymorphonuclear leukocytes accumulation in mouse brain whereas macrophages were the predominant inflammatory cell type at 72 h after injury. However, a selective inhibitor or genetic deficiency of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) failed to affect MnSOD nitration. Nitration of MnSOD is a likely consequence of peroxynitrite within the intracellular milieu of neurons after TBI. Nitration and inactivation of MnSOD could lead to self-amplification of oxidative stress in the brain progressively enhancing peroxynitrite production and secondary damage.