Functionality improvement of fungal lignin peroxidase by DNA shuffling for 2,4-dichlorophenol degradability and H2O2 stability

One of the major problems of wild-type lignin peroxidase (LiP) is its inactivity at the presence of excess H(2)O(2) and high concentration of aromatic compounds. Little is known about the substrate-binding site of LiP, and functionality improvement of LiP was not actively tried by genetic engineering and directed evolution. In order to improve LiPs functionality, we performed directed evolution with a colorimetric screening method. Finally, three types of LiP mutants were screened. The catalytic efficiency of the variants toward 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) degradation activity and the stability against H(2)O(2) was increased over the wild type. The K(m) value of the variants toward H(2)O(2) was increased, but K(m) value toward 2,4-DCP degradation was reduced. Overall, The K(cat)/K(m) values of the mutants toward 2,4-DCP was increased ca. 4-fold, and that toward H(2)O(2) was increased ca. 89-fold. Amino acid sequence analysis indicated that the most of the mutations were located on the enzyme surface. We expect that these results coupled with recombining mutation can be successfully applied to the molecular evolution cycles for screening of LiPs and other oxidative enzymes with improved functionality and stability.     

Bioelectrocatalytic properties of lignin peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium in reactions with phenols, catechols and lignin-model compounds

Bioelectrocatalytic reduction of H(2)O(2) catalysed by lignin peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium (LiP) was studied with LiP-modified graphite electrodes to elucidate the ability of LiP to electro-enzymatically oxidise phenols, catechols, as well as veratryl alcohol (VA) and some other high-redox-potential lignin model compounds (LMC). Flow-through amperometric experiments performed at +0.1 V vs. Ag|AgCl demonstrated that LiP displayed significant bioelectrocatalytic activity for the reduction of H(2)O(2) both directly (i.e., in direct electron transfer (ET) reaction between LiP and the electrode) and using most of studied compounds acting as redox mediators in the LiP bioelectrocatalytic cycle, with a pH optimum of 3.0. The bioelectrocatalytic reduction of H(2)O(2) mediated by VA and effects of VA on the efficiency of bioelectrocatalytic oxidation of other co-substrates acting as mediators were investigated. The bioelectrocatalytic oxidation of phenol- and catechol derivatives and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) by LiP was independent of the presence of VA, whereas the efficiency of the LiP bioelectrocatalysis with the majority of other LMC acting as mediators increased upon addition of VA. Special cases were phenol and 4-methoxymandelic acid (4-MMA). Both phenol and 4-MMA suppressed the bioelectrocatalytic activity of LiP below the direct ET level, which was, however, restored and increased in the presence of VA mediating the ET between LiP and these two compounds. The obtained results suggest different mechanisms for the bioelectrocatalysis of LiP depending on the chemical nature of the mediators and are of a special interest both for fundamental science and for application of LiP in biotechnological processes as solid-phase bio(electro)catalyst for decomposition/detection of recalcitrant aromatic compounds.     

Influence of environmental factors on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid degradation by Pseudomonas cepacia isolated from peat

A Pseudomonas cepacia, designated strain BRI6001, was isolated from peat by enrichment culture using 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as the sole carbon source. BRI6001 grew at up to 13 mM 2,4-D, and degraded 1 mM 2,4-D at an average starting population density as low as 1.5 cells/ml. Degradation was optimal at acidic pH, but could also be inhibited at low pH, associated with chloride release from the substrate, and the limited buffering capacity of the growth medium. The only metabolite detected during growth on 2,4-D was 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), and degradation of the aromatic nucleus was by intradiol cleavage. Growth lag times prior to the on-set of degradation, and the total time required for degradation, were linearly related to the starting population density and the initial 2,4-D concentration. BRI6001, grown on 2,4-D, oxidized a variety of structurally similar chlorinated aromatic compounds accompanied by stoichiometric chloride release.     

Melanin protects melanocytes and keratinocytes against H2O2-induced DNA strand breaks through its ability to bind Ca2+

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) are produced in the skin under the influence of UV radiation. These compounds are highly reactive and can induce DNA lesions in epidermal cells. Melanin is considered to protect human skin against DNA damage by absorbing UV radiation. We have investigated whether melanin can, in addition, offer protection against the effects of H(2)O(2) in human melanocytes and HaCaT keratinocytes. In the present study, it was shown that 40 and 100 microM H(2)O(2) increased the number of DNA strand breaks as measured using the comet assay, in melanocytes of Caucasian origin. In melanocytes of the same origin in which melanin levels were increased by culturing in presence of 10 mM NH(4)Cl and elevated l-tyrosine, H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage was reduced compared to that in control melanocytes. Similarly, HaCaT cells that were loaded with melanin were better protected against H(2)O(2)-induced DNA strand breaks than control HaCaT cells. These protective effects of melanin were mimicked by the intracellular Ca(2+)-chelator BAPTA. Thus, BAPTA reduced the level of H(2)O(2)-induced DNA strand breaks in melanocytes. Like BAPTA, melanin is known to be a potent chelator of Ca(2+) and this was confirmed in the present study. It was shown that melanin levels in melanocytic cells correlated directly with intracellular Ca(2+) binding capacity and, in addition, correlated inversely with H(2)O(2)-induced increases in intracellular Ca(2+). Our results show that melanin may have an important role in regulating intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and it is suggested that melanin protects against H(2)O(2)-induced DNA strand breaks in both melanocytes and keratinocytes and through its ability to bind Ca(2+).     

The antioxidative function of eicosapentaenoic acid in a marine bacterium, Shewanella marinintestina IK-1

When the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-deficient mutant strain IK-1Delta8 of the marine EPA-producing Shewanella marinintestina IK-1 was treated with various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), its colony-forming ability decreased more than that of the wild type. Protein carbonylation, induced by treating cells with 0.01 mM H(2)O(2) under bacteriostatic conditions, was enhanced only in cells lacking EPA. The amount of cells recovered from the cultures was decreased more significantly by the presence of H(2)O(2) for cells lacking EPA than for those producing EPA. Treatment of the cells with 0.1 mM H(2)O(2) resulted in much lower intracellular concentrations of H(2)O(2) being consistently detected in cells with EPA than in those without EPA. These results suggest that cellular EPA can directly protect cells against oxidative damage by shielding the entry of exogenously added H(2)O(2) in S. marinintestina IK-1.     

Biochemical features of maize tissues with different capacities to regenerate plants

Metabolic profiling using GC–MS and LC–MS analyses of soluble metabolites and cell wall bound phenolic compounds from maize calluses of different morphogenic competence revealed a number of biochemical characteristics that distinguish tissues with high plant regeneration ability from tissues that cannot efficiently regenerate plants in vitro. Maize cultures of different ages from H99 (compact type I callus) and HiII (friable type II callus) were divided into two different samples: regenerable (R) and non-regenerable (NR) based on known morphologies. Tissues from both genotypes with high morphogenic potential had higher asparagine and aspartate and indole-3-butenol concentrations, decreased sugar and DIMBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one) concentrations, low levels of 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and chlorogenic acid and lower levels of feruloyl- and sinapoyl glucosides compared to NR tissues. The ether bound cell wall phenolics of tissues with high regeneration potential had higher levels of the predominant G (guaiacyl) units and lower levels of H (p-hydroxyphenyl) and S (syringyl) units and higher ferulic acid/coumaric acid and ferulic acid/diferulic acid ratios. The same trends were found with the ester-bound phenolics of HiII, however, there were only small differences between the H99 R and NR tissues. Concentrations of the major sugars, organic acids, amino acids and soluble aromatic compounds tended to increase as the time after culture initiation increased. The results show that there are differences in general metabolism, phenolic secondary compounds and cell wall composition between R and NR cell types.     

Detoxification of 2,4-dichlorophenol by the marine microalga Tetraselmis marina

Xenobiotic chlorinated phenols have been found in fresh and marine waters and are toxic to many aquatic organisms. Metabolism of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in the marine microalga Tetraselmis marina was studied. The microalga removed more than 1mM of 2,4-DCP in a 2l photobioreactor over a 6 day period. Two metabolites, more polar than 2,4-DCP, were detected in the growth medium by reverse phase HPLC and their concentrations increased at the expense of 2,4-DCP. The metabolites were isolated by a C8 HPLC column and identified as 2,4-dichlorophenyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside (DCPG) and 2,4-dichlorophenyl-beta-d-(6-O-malonyl)-glucopyranoside (DCPGM) by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric analysis in a negative ion mode. The molecular structures of 2,4-DCPG and 2,4-CPGM were further confirmed by enzymatic and alkaline hydrolyses. Thus, it was concluded that the major pathway of 2,4-DCP metabolism in T. marina involves an initial conjugation of 2,4-DCP to glucose to form 2,4-dichlorophenyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside, followed by acylation of the glucoconjugate to form 2,4-dichlorophenyl-beta-d-(6-O-malonyl)-glucopyranoside. The microalga ability to detoxify dichlorophenol congeners other than 2,4-DCP was also investigated. This work provides the first evidence that microalgae can use a combined glucosyl and malonyl transfer to detoxify xenobiotics such as dichlorophenols.     

黄孢原毛平革菌木素过氧化物酶类在天然木素降解中作用的研究

通过诱变得到十一株木素过氧化物酶酶活降低的黄孢原毛平革菌（Ｐｈａｎｅｒｏｃｈａｅｔｅｃｈｒｙｓｏｓｐｏｒｉｕｍ）突变株,用灰色理论分析了其木素过氧化物酶类的产生与木素降解能力间的相关性,并从中筛选到一株木素过氧化物酶缺陷、锰过氧化物酶酶活明显降低的突变株,其木素降解能力为原始菌株的８０％左右。该菌粗酶液作用于纤维素酶酶解杉木木素和天然褐腐木素,可产生小分子的木素降解产物,此反应不需Ｈ２Ｏ２参与。红外光谱分析表明粗酶液对木素的作用主要为氧化作用,因此推测此突变株粗酶液中含有不同于木素过氧化物酶和锰过氧化物酶的与木素氧化降解有关的酶类     

Oxidation of monomethoxylated aromatic compounds by lignin peroxidase: role of veratryl alcohol in lignin biodegradation

Lignin peroxidase (LiP), an extracellular heme enzyme from the lignin-degrading fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium, catalyzes the H2O2-dependent oxidation of a variety of nonphenolic lignin model compounds. The oxidation of monomethoxylated lignin model compounds, such as anisyl alcohol (AA), and the role of veratryl alcohol (VA) in LiP reactions were studied. AA oxidation reached a maximum at relatively low H2O2 concentrations, beyond which the extent of the reactions decreased. The presence of VA did not affect AA oxidation at low molar ratios of H2O2 to enzyme; however, at ratios above 100, the presence of VA abolished the decrease in AA oxidation. Addition of stoichiometric amounts of AA to LiP compound II (LiPII) resulted in its reduction to the native enzyme at rates that were significantly faster than the spontaneous rate of reduction, indicating that AA and other monomethoxylated aromatics are directly oxidized by LiP, albeit slowly. Under steady-state conditions in the presence of excess H2O2 and VA, a visible spectrum for LiPII was obtained. In contrast, under steady-state conditions in the presence of AA a visible spectrum was obtained for LiPIII*, a noncovalent complex of LiPIII and H2O2. AA competitively inhibited the oxidation of VA by LiP; the Ki for AA inhibition was 32 microM. Addition of VA to LiPIII* resulted in its conversion to the native enzyme. In contrast, AA did not convert LiPIII* to the native enzyme; instead, LiPIII* was bleached in the presence of AA. Thus, AA does not protect LiP from inactivation by H2O2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lignin peroxidase oxidation of Mn2+ in the presence of veratryl alcohol, malonic or oxalic acid, and oxygen

Veratryl alcohol (3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol) appears to have multiple roles in lignin degradation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium. It is synthesized de novo by the fungus. It apparently induces expression of lignin peroxidase (LiP), and it protects LiP from inactivation by H2O2. In addition, veratryl alcohol has been shown to potentiate LiP oxidation of compounds that are not good LiP substrates. We have now observed the formation of Mn3+ in reaction mixtures containing LiP, Mn2+, veratryl alcohol, malonate buffer, H2O2, and O2. No Mn3+ was formed if veratryl alcohol or H2O2 was omitted. Mn3+ formation also showed an absolute requirement for oxygen, and oxygen consumption was observed in the reactions. This suggests involvement of active oxygen species. In experiments using oxalate (a metabolite of P. chrysosporium) instead of malonate, similar results were obtained. However, in this case, we detected (by ESR spin-trapping) the production of carbon dioxide anion radical (CO2.-) and perhydroxyl radical (.OOH) in reaction mixtures containing LiP, oxalate, veratryl alcohol, H2O2, and O2. Our data indicate the formation of oxalate radical, which decays to CO2 and CO2.-. The latter reacts with O2 to form O2.-, which then oxidizes Mn2+ to Mn3+. No radicals were detected in the absence of veratryl alcohol. These results indicate that LiP can indirectly oxidize Mn2+ and that veratryl alcohol is probably a radical mediator in this system.     

Butyrylcholinesterase is present in the human epidermis and is regulated by H2O2: more evidence for oxidative stress in vitiligo

The human epidermis holds the capacity for autocrine cholinergic signal transduction, but the presence of butyrylcholinesterase (BchE) has not been shown so far. Our results demonstrate that this compartment transcribes a functional BchE. Its activity is even higher compared to acetylcholinesterase (AchE). Moreover, we show that BchE is subject to regulation by H(2)O(2) in a concentration-dependent manner as it was recently described for AchE. Epidermal BchE protein expression and enzyme activities are severely affected by H(2)O(2) in vitiligo as previously demonstrated for AchE. Removal/reduction of H(2)O(2) by a pseudocatalase PC-KUS yields normal/increased protein expression and activities. H(2)O(2)-mediated oxidation of methionine residues in BchE was confirmed by FT-Raman spectroscopy. Computer simulation supported major alteration of the enzyme active site and its tetramerisation domain suggesting deactivation of the enzyme due to H(2)O(2)-mediated oxidation. Based on our results we conclude that H(2)O(2) is a major player in the regulation of the cholinergic signal via both AchE and BchE and this signal is severely affected in the epidermis of patients with active vitiligo.     

Oxidative stress in vitiligo: photo-oxidation of pterins produces H(2)O(2) and pterin-6-carboxylic acid

Patients with vitiligo accumulate millimolar levels of H(2)O(2) in their epidermis. The recycling process of (6R)-l-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin in these patients is disrupted due to deactivation of 4a-OH-BH(4) dehydratase by H(2)O(2). The H(2)O(2) oxidation products 6- and 7-biopterin lead to the characteristic fluorescence of the affected skin upon Wood's light examination (UVA 351 nm). Here we report for the first time the presence and accumulation of pterin-6-carboxylic acid (P-6-COOH) in the epidermis of these patients. Exploring potential sources for P-6-COOH revealed that sepiapterin and 6-biopterin are readily photo-oxidised to P-6-COOH by UVA/UVB irradiation. Photolysis of sepiapterin and 6-biopterin produces stoichiometric H(2)O(2) under aerobic conditions, where O(2) is the electron acceptor, thus identifying an additional source for H(2)O(2) generation in vitiligo. A detailed analysis utilising UV/visible spectrophotometry, HPLC, TLC, and mass spectroscopy showed for sepiapterin direct oxidation to P-6-COOH, whereas 6-biopterin formed the intermediate 6-formylpterin (P-6-CHO) which is then further photo-oxidised to P-6-COOH.     

Biophotonic hydrogen peroxide production by antibodies, T cells, and T-cell membranes

Rapidly accumulating evidence indicates that inflammatory T cells sensitively respond to their redox environment by activating signal transduction pathways. The hypothesis that T-cell receptors have the potential to catalytically transform singlet oxygen into H(2)O(2) attracted our attention since the biophysical regulation of this process would provide a new tool for therapeutically directing T cells down a preferred signaling pathway. Light-dependent production of H(2)O(2) was first described in antibodies, and we reproduced these findings. Using a real-time H(2)O(2) sensor we extended them by showing that the reaction proceeds in a biphasic way with a short-lived phase that is fast compared to the slow second phase of the reaction. We then showed that Jurkat T cells biophotonically produce about 30nM H(2)O(2)/min/mg protein when pretreated with NaN(3). This activity was concentrated 4 to 5 times in T-cell membrane preparations. The implications of these observations for the development of new therapeutic tools for inflammatory diseases are discussed.     

Hydrogen peroxide mediates Rac1 activation of S6K1

We previously reported that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) mediates mitogen activation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) which plays an important role in cell proliferation and growth. In this study, we investigated a possible role of H2O2 as a molecular linker in Rac1 activation of S6K1. Overexpression of recombinant catalase in NIH-3T3 cells led to the drastic inhibition of H2O2 production by PDGF, which was accompanied by a decrease in S6K1 activity. Similarly, PDGF activation of S6K1 was significantly inhibited by transient transfection or stable transfection of the cells with a dominant-negative Rac1 (Rac1N17), while overexpression of constitutively active Rac1 (Rac1V12) in the cells led to an increase in basal activity of S6K1. In addition, stable transfection of Rat2 cells with Rac1N17 dramatically attenuated the H2O2 production by PDGF as compared with that in the control cells. In contrast, Rat2 cells stably transfected with Rac1V12 produced high level of H2O2 in the absence of PDGF, comparable to that in the control cells stimulated with PDGF. More importantly, elimination of H2O2 produced in Rat2 cells overexpressing Rac1V12 inhibited the Rac1V12 activation of S6K1, indicating the possible role of H2O2 as a mediator in the activation of S6K1 by Rac1. However, H2O2 could be also produced via other pathway, which is independent of Rac1 or PI3K, because in Rat2 cells stably transfected with Rac1N17, H2O2 could be produced by arsenite, which has been shown to be a stimulator of H2O2 production. Taken together, these results suggest that H2O2 plays a pivotal role as a mediator in Rac1 activation of S6K1.     

Degradation of chlorophenols catalyzed by laccase

The degradations of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) catalyzed by laccase were carried out. The optimal condition regarding degradation efficiency was also discussed, which included reaction time, pH value, temperature, concentration series of chlorophenols and laccase. Results showed that the capability of laccase was the best, while to oxidize 2,4-DCP among the above-mentioned chlorophenols. Within 10 h, the removal efficiency of 2,4-DCP, 2-CP and 4-CP could reach 94%, 75% and 69%, respectively. The optimal pH for laccase to degrade chlorophenols was around 5.5. The increase of laccase concentration or temperature might result in the degradation promotion. The trends of degradation percentage were various among these three chlorophenols with the concentration increase of chlorophenols. Degradation of 2,4-DCP is a first-order reaction and the reaction activation energy is about 44.8 kJ mol⁻¹. When laccase was immobilized on chitosan, crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, the activity of immobilized laccase was lower than that of free laccase, but the stability improved significantly. The removal efficiency of immobilized laccase to 2,4-DCP still remained over 65% after six cycles of operation.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic property and oxidative DNA cleavage activity of an octanuclear copper(II) complex showing water-perchlorate helical network

A new octanuclear copper(II) complex has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography: [Cu(8)(HL)(4)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(2)(ClO(4))(2)].(ClO(4))(2).2H(2)O (1) (H(3)L=2,6-bis(hydroxyethyliminoethyl)-4-methyl phenol). The complex is formed by the linkage of two terminal bimetallic cationic units and a tetranuclear mu(3)-hydroxo bridged dicubane core by a very short intramolecular hydrogen bond (O-H...O, 1.48(3)A and the angle 175 degrees). The coordination sphere of the terminal copper atoms is square pyramidal, the apical positions being occupied by water and a perchlorate ion. Complex 1 self-assembles to form a new type of water-perchlorate helical network [(H(2)O)(2)(ClO(4))](infinity) involving oxygen atoms of coordinated perchlorate ion and the two lattice water molecules through hydrogen-bonding interaction. The variable temperature-dependent susceptibility measurement (2-300K) of 1 reveals a strong antiferromagnetic coupling, J(1)=-220cm(-1) and J(2)=-98cm(-1) (J(1) and J(2) representing the exchange constant within [Cu(2+)](4) and [Cu(2+)](2) units, respectively). The complex binds to double-stranded supercoiled plasmid DNA giving a K(app) value of 1.2x10(7)M(-1) and displays efficient oxidative cleavage of supercoiled DNA in the presence of H(2)O(2) following a hydroxyl radical pathway.     

c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase decreases ubiquitination and promotes stabilization of p21(WAF1/CIP1) in K562 cell

Proteasome-dependent degradation of regulatory proteins is a known mechanism of cell cycle control. p21(WAF1/CIP1) (p21), a negative regulator of the cell division cycle, exhibits proteasome-sensitive turnover and ubiquitination. In the present study, we analyzed the regulatory effects of JNK1 on p21 protein accumulation in p53 null K562 cells. We found that JNK1 (wild type, WT) mediated H(2)O(2)-induced p21 protein up-regulation. Over-expression of JNK1 (WT) could elevate endogenous p21 protein level but did not affect p21 mRNA level and also prolong the p21 half-life as well as inhibited the p21 ubiquitination. These findings indicated that JNK1 could regulate cellular p21 level via inhibiting ubiquitination of p21, which provided a new insight for analyzing the regulatory effect of JNK after stress.     

Directed evolution of a thermophilic endoglucanase (Cel5A) into highly active Cel5A variants with an expanded temperature profile

Cel5A is a highly active endoglucanase from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis MB4, displaying an optimal temperature range between 75 and 80 °C. After three rounds of error-prone PCR and screening of 4700 mutants, five variants of Cel5A with improved activities were identified by Congo Red based screening method. Compared with the wild type, the best variants 3F6 and C3-13 display 135 ± 6% and 193 ± 8% of the wild type specific activity for the substrate carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), besides improvements in the relative expression level in Escherichia coli system. Remarkable are especially the improvements in activities at reduced temperatures (50% of maximum activity at 50 °C and about 45 °C respectively, while 65 °C for the wild type). Molecular Dynamics simulations performed on the 3F6 and C3-13 variants show a decreased number of intra-Cel5A hydrogen bonds compared to the wild type, implying a more flexible protein skeleton which correlates well to the higher catalytic activity at lower temperatures. To investigate functions of each individual amino acid position site-directed (saturation) mutagenesis were generated and screened. Amino acid positions Val249 and Ile321 were found to be crucial for improving activity and residue Ile13 (encoded by rare codon AUA) yields an improved expression level in E. coli.     

The effect of 2,4-dichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol on antioxidant system in the leaves of Phalaris arudinacea

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) on the activity of antioxidative system and lipid peroxidation in the leaves of reed canary grass (Phalaris arudinacea). The activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) as well as the content of glutathione, ascorbate and phenolic compounds were determined. An induced-increase in the APX, CAT, GPX and GR activities was stronger for PCP, while a significant increase in the GST activity was noted only for 2,4-DCP. Both compounds increased the content of phenolic compounds, oxidized and reduced glutathione as well as the content of ascorbic acid. PCP induced stronger increase in lipid peroxidation than 2,4-DCP. The observed changes revealed that chlorophenols induce oxidative stress and oxidative damage in the leaves of reed canary grass.     

Activation/deactivation of acetylcholinesterase by H2O2: more evidence for oxidative stress in vitiligo

Previously it has been demonstrated that the human epidermis synthesises and degrades acetylcholine and expresses both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. These cholinergic systems have been implicated in the development of the epidermal calcium gradient and differentiation in normal healthy skin. In vitiligo severe oxidative stress occurs in the epidermis of these patients with accumulation of H2O2 in the 10(-3)M range together with a decrease in catalase expression/activity due to deactivation of the enzyme active site. It was also shown that the entire recycling of the essential cofactor (6R)-l-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin via pterin-4a-carbinolamine dehydratase (PCD) and dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) is affected by H2O2 oxidation of Trp/Met residues in the enzyme structure leading to deactivation of these proteins. Using fluorescence immunohistochemistry we now show that epidermal H2O2 in vitiligo patients yields also almost absent epidermal acetylcholinesterase (AchE). A kinetic analysis using pure recombinant human AchE revealed that low concentrations of H2O2 (10(-6)M) activate this enzyme by increasing the Vmax>2-fold, meanwhile high concentrations of H2O2 (10(-3)M) inhibit the enzyme with a significant decrease in Vmax. This result was confirmed by fluorescence excitation spectroscopy following the Trp fluorescence at lambdamax 280nm. Molecular modelling based on the established 3D structure of human AchE supported that H2O2-mediated oxidation of Trp(432), Trp(435), and Met(436) moves and disorients the active site His(440) of the enzyme, leading to deactivation of the protein. To our knowledge these results identified for the first time H2O2 regulation of AchE. Moreover, it was shown that H2O2-mediated oxidation of AchE contributes significantly to the well-established oxidative stress in vitiligo.