Production of the superoxide adduct of myeloperoxidase (compound III) by stimulated human neutrophils and its reactivity with hydrogen peroxide and chloride.

Examination of the spectra of phagocytosing neutrophils and of myeloperoxidase present in the medium of neutrophils stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate has shown that superoxide generated by the cells converts both intravacuolar and exogenous myeloperoxidase into the superoxo-ferric or oxyferrous form (compound III or MPO2). A similar product was observed with myeloperoxidase in the presence of hypoxanthine, xanthine oxidase and Cl-. Both transformations were inhibited by superoxide dismutase. Thus it appears that myeloperoxidase in the neutrophil must function predominantly as this superoxide derivative. MPO2 autoxidized slowly (t 1/2 = 12 min at 25 degrees C) to the ferric enzyme. It did not react directly with H2O2 or Cl-, but did react with compound II (MP2+ X H2O2). MPO2 catalysed hypochlorite formation from H2O2 and Cl- at approximately the same rate as the ferric enzyme, and both reactions showed the same H2O2-dependence. This suggests that MPO2 can enter the main peroxidation pathway, possibly via its reaction with compound II. Both ferric myeloperoxidase and MPO2 showed catalase activity, in the presence or absence of Cl-, which predominated over chlorination at H2O2 concentrations above 200 microM. Thus, although the reaction of neutrophil myeloperoxidase with superoxide does not appear to impair its chlorinating ability, the H2O2 concentration in its environment will determine whether the enzyme acts primarily as a catalase or peroxidase.     

Effect of the microsomal system on interconversions between hydroquinone, benzoquinone, oxygen activation, and lipid peroxidation

Our previous results indicated that cytochrome P450 destruction by benzene metabolites was caused mainly by benzoquinone (Soucek et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 47 (1994) 2233-2242). The aim of this study was to investigate the interconversions between hydroquinone, semiquinone, and benzoquinone with regard to both spontaneous and enzymatic processes in order to test the above hypothesis. We have also studied the participation of hydroquinone and benzoquinone in OH radicals formation and lipid peroxidation as well as the role of ascorbate and transition metals. In buffered aqueous solution, hydroquinone was slowly oxidized to benzoquinone via a semiquinone radical. This conversion was slowed down by the addition of NADPH and completely stopped by microsomes in the presence of NADPH. Benzoquinone was reduced to semiquinone radical at a significantly higher rate and this conversion was stimulated by NADPH and more effectively by microsomes plus NADPH while semiquinone radical was quenched there. In microsomes with NADPH. both hydroquinone and benzoquinone stimulated the formation of OH radicals but inhibited peroxidation of lipids. Ascorbate at 0.5-5 mM concentration also produced significant generation of OH radicals in microsomes. Neither hydroquinone nor benzoquinone did change this ascorbate effect. On the contrary, 0.1-1.0 mM ascorbate stimulated peroxidation of lipids in microsomes whereas presence of hydroquinone or benzoquinone completely inhibited this deleterious effect of ascorbate. Iron-Fe2+ apparently played an important role in lipid peroxidation as shown by EDTA inhibition, but it did not influence OH radical production. In contrast, Fe3+ did not influence lipid peroxidation, but stimulated OH radical production. Thus, our results indicate that iron influenced the above processes depending on its oxidation state, but it did not influence hydroquinone/benzoquinone redox processes including the formation of semiquinone. It can be concluded that interconversions between hydroquinone and benzoquinone are influenced by NADPH and more effectively by the complete microsomal system. Ascorbate, well-known antioxidant produces OH radicals and peroxidation of lipids. On the other hand, both hydroquinone and benzoquinone appear to be very efficient inhibitors of lipid peroxidation.     

The mechanism of myeloperoxidase-dependent chlorination of monochlorodimedon

Chlorination of monochlorodimedon is routinely used to measure the production of hypochlorous acid catalysed by myeloperoxidase from H2O2 and Cl-. We have found that the myeloperoxidase/H2O2/Cl- system, at pH 7.8, catalysed the loss of monochlorodimedon with a rapid burst phase followed by a much slower steady-state phase. The loss of monochlorodimedon in the absence of Cl- was only 10% of the steady-state rate in the presence of Cl-, which indicates that the major reaction of monochlorodimedon was with hypochlorous acid. During the steady-state reaction, myeloperoxidase was present as 100% compound II, which cannot participate directly in hypochlorous acid formation. Monochlorodimedon was necessary for formation of compound II, since it was not formed in the presence of methionine. Both the amount of hypochlorous acid formed during the burst phase, and the steady-state rate of hypochlorous acid production, increased with increasing concentrations of myeloperoxidase and with decreasing concentrations of monochlorodimedon. Inhibition by monochlorodimedon was competitive with Cl-. From these results, and the ability of myeloperoxidase to slowly peroxidase monochlorodimedon in the absence of Cl-, we propose that the reaction of monochlorodimedon with the myeloperoxidase/H2O2/Cl- system involves a major pathway due to hypochlorous acid-dependent chlorination and a minor peroxidative pathway. Only a small fraction of compound I needs to react with monochlorodimedon instead of Cl- at each enzyme cycle, for compound II to rapidly accumulate. Monochlorodimedon, therefore, cannot be regarded as an inert detector of hypochlorous acid production by myeloperoxidase, but acts to limit the chlorinating activity of the enzyme. In the presence of reducing species that act like monochlorodimedon, the activity of myeloperoxidase would depend on the rate of turnover of compound II. Components of human serum promoted the conversion of ferric-myeloperoxidase to compound II in the presence of H2O2. We suggest, therefore, that in vivo the rate of turnover of compound II may determine the rate of myeloperoxidase-dependent production of hypochlorous acid by stimulated neutrophils.     

Oxidation of hydroquinone, 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone and 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone by human myeloperoxidase

Myeloperoxidase is very susceptible to reducing radicals because the reduction potential of the ferric/ferrous redox couple is much higher compared with other peroxidases. Semiquinone radicals are known to reduce heme proteins. Therefore, the kinetics and spectra of the reactions of p-hydroquinone, 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone and 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone with compounds I and II were investigated using both sequential-mixing stopped-flow techniques and conventional spectrophotometric measurements. At pH 7 and 15 degrees C the rate constants for compound I reacting with p-hydroquinone, 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone and 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone were determined to be 5.6+/-0.4 x 10(7) M(-1)s(-1), 1.3+/-0.1 x 10(6) M(-1)s(-1) and 3.1+/-0.3 x 10(6) M(-1)s(-1), respectively. The corresponding reaction rates for compound II reduction were calculated to be 4.5+/-0.3 x 10(6) M(-1)s(-1), 1.9+/-0.1 x 10(5) M(-1)s(-1) and 4.5+/-0.2 x 10(4) M(-1)s(-1), respectively. Semiquinone radicals, produced by compounds I and II in the classical peroxidation cycle, promote compound III (oxymyeloperoxidase) formation. We could monitor formation of ferrous myeloperoxidase as well as its direct transition to compound II by addition of molecular oxygen. Formation of ferrous myeloperoxidase is shown to depend strongly on the reduction potential of the corresponding redox couple benzoquinone/semiquinone. With 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone and 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone as substrate, myeloperoxidase is extremely quickly trapped as compound III. These MPO-typical features could have potential in designing specific drugs which inhibit the production of hypochlorous acid and consequently attenuate inflammatory tissue damage.     

Interaction of methyl-xanthines with myeloperoxidase. An anti-inflammatory mechanism.

1. Inhibition of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-catalyzed reactions by methyl-substituted xanthines has been investigated. 2. Except for theobromine and caffeine, all xanthines tested were potent inhibitors of the MPO-H2O2-Cl- system. 3. In contrast to methyl substitution in the 1 or 8 position of xanthine, substitution in the 3 or 7 position had a marked effect on the inhibition of MPO catalysis. 4. Two different inhibitory mechanisms were induced; scavenging of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) generated by the MPO system and accumulation of Compound II (ferryl MPO) which is inactive as a catalyst of Cl- oxidation.     

Superoxide modulates the activity of myeloperoxidase and optimizes the production of hypochlorous acid.

Myeloperoxidase catalyses the conversion of H2O2 and Cl- to hypochlorous acid (HOCl). It also reacts with O2- to form the oxy adduct (compound III). To determine how O2- affects the formation of HOCl, chlorination of monochlorodimedon by myeloperoxidase was investigated using xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine as a source of O2- and H2O2. Myeloperoxidase was mostly converted to compound III, and H2O2 was essential for chlorination. At pH 5.4, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enhanced chlorination and prevented formation of compound III. However, at pH 7.8, SOD inhibited chlorination and promoted formation of the ferrous peroxide adduct (compound II) instead of compound III. We present spectral evidence for a direct reaction between compound III and H2O2 to form compound II, and for the reduction of compound II by O2- to regenerate native myeloperoxidase. These reactions enable compound III and compound II to participate in the chlorination reaction. Myeloperoxidase catalytically inhibited O2- -dependent reduction of Nitro Blue Tetrazolium. This inhibition is explained by myeloperoxidase undergoing a cycle of reactions with O2-, H2O2 and O2-, with compounds III and II as intermediates, i.e., by myeloperoxidase acting as a combined SOD/catalase enzyme. By preventing the accumulation of inactive compound II, O2- enhances the activity of myeloperoxidase. We propose that, under physiological conditions, this optimizes the production of HOCl and may potentiate oxidant damage by stimulated neutrophils.     

Generation of Free Radicals during Decomposition of Hydroperoxide in the Presence of Myeloperoxidase or Activated Neutrophils

It was shown with the spin trap alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone that myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the presence of its substrates H2O2 and Cl- as well as activated neutrophils destroy tert-butyl hydroperoxide producing two adducts of O-centered radicals which were identified as peroxyl and alcoxyl radicals. Inhibitory analysis performed with traps of hypochlorite (taurine and methionine), free radical scavengers (2,6-di-tret-butyl-4-methylphenol and mannitol), and MPO inhibitors (salicylhydroxamic acid and 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide) revealed that the destruction of the hydroperoxide group in the presence of isolated MPO or activated neutrophils was directly caused by the activity of MPO: some radical intermediates appeared as a result of the chlorination cycle of MPO at the stage of hypochlorite generation, whereas the other radicals were produced independently of hypochlorite, presumably with involvement of the peroxidase cycle of MPO. The data suggest that the activated neutrophils located in the inflammatory foci and secreting MPO into the extracellular space can convert hydroperoxides into free radicals initiating lipid peroxidation and other free radical reactions and, thus, promoting destruction of protein-lipid complexes (biological membranes, blood lipoproteins, etc.).     

Oxidation of tryptophan by redox intermediates of myeloperoxidase and inhibition of hypochlorous acid production

The neutrophil enzyme myeloperoxidase catalyzes the oxidation of tyrosine to tyrosyl radicals, which cross-link to proteins and initiate lipid peroxidation. Tryptophan is present in plasma at about the same concentration as tyrosine and has a similar one-electron reduction potential. In this investigation, we have determined the ability of myeloperoxidase to catalyze the oxidation of tryptophan to assess whether or not this reaction may contribute to oxidative stress at sites of inflammation. We show that tryptophan is a poor substrate for myeloperoxidase because, even though it reacts rapidly with compound I (kI 2.1 x 10(6) M(-1)s(-1)), it reacts sluggishly with compound II (kII 7 M(-1)s(-1)). Tryptophan reversibly inhibited production of hypochlorous acid by purified myeloperoxidase by converting the enzyme to a mixture of compound II and compound III. It gave 50% inhibition (I50) at a concentration of 2 microM. In contrast, it was an ineffective inhibitor of hypochlorous acid production by human neutrophils (I50 80 microM) unless superoxide dismutase was present (I50 5 microM). We propose that compound I of myeloperoxidase will oxidize tryptophan at sites of inflammation. Enzyme turnover will result from the reaction of superoxide or tyrosine with compound II. Thus, tryptophan radicals are potential candidates for exacerbating oxidative stress during inflammation.     

Reactions of pholasin with peroxidases and hypochlorous acid

The ability of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to induce chemiluminescence (CL) in Pholasin (Knight Scientific, Plymouth, UK), the photoprotein of the Common Piddock Pholas dactylus, was studied. The oxidation of Pholasin by compound I or II of HRP induced an intense light emission, whereas native HRP showed only a small effect. The luminescence observed upon incubation of Pholasin with native MPO was diminished by preincubation with catalase. Considering the high instability of diluted MPO, it is concluded that traces of hydrogen peroxide in water converted MPO to its active forms, compound I and/or II, which are able to oxidize Pholasin. Indeed, the addition of hydrogen peroxide to a mixture of MPO and Pholasin induced an intense burst of light. This emission was enhanced in degree and duration in the absence of chloride. Hypochlorous acid, the reaction product of Cl(-) and compound I of MPO, was itself able to elicit a luminescent response in Pholasin and this luminescence was strongly inhibited by methionine and taurine. However, both of these HOCl scavengers only slightly reduced the light emission induced by MPO/H(2)O(2) in both the presence or absence of chloride. Thus, hypochlorous acid produced by the MPO/H(2)O(2)/Cl(-) system, under the conditions described in this study, did not contribute to Pholasin luminescence. The Pholasin luminescence elicited by formyl-leucyl-methionyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-stimulated neutrophils depends both on superoxide anion radicals and higher oxidation states of myeloperoxidase (but not on hypochlorous acid). This is shown by the inhibition of luminescence with superoxide dismutase and potassium cyanide, together with the lack of effect of both methionine and taurine. The luminescence response is about eight times greater in cells stimulated with fMLP/cytochalasin B than with fMLP alone.     

Inhibition of the chlorinating activity of myeloperoxidase by tempol: revisiting the kinetics and mechanisms

The nitroxide tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-1-oxyl) reduces tissue injury in animal models of inflammation by mechanisms that are not completely understood. MPO (myeloperoxidase), which plays a fundamental role in oxidant production by neutrophils, is an important target for anti-inflammatory action. By amplifying the oxidative potential of H2O2, MPO produces hypochlorous acid and radicals through the oxidizing intermediates MPO-I [MPO-porphyrin?+-Fe(IV)=O] and MPO-II [MPO-porphyrin-Fe(IV)=O]. Previously, we reported that tempol reacts with MPO-I and MPO-II with second-order rate constants similar to those of tyrosine. However, we noticed that tempol inhibits the chlorinating activity of MPO, in contrast with tyrosine. Thus we studied the inhibition of MPO-mediated taurine chlorination by tempol at pH 7.4 and re-determined the kinetic constants of the reactions of tempol with MPO-I (k=3.5×105 M-1·s-1) and MPO-II, the kinetics of which indicated a binding interaction (K=2.0×10-5 M; k=3.6×10-2 s-1). Also, we showed that tempol reacts extremely slowly with hypochlorous acid (k=0.29 and 0.054 M-1·s-1 at pH 5.4 and 7.4 respectively). The results demonstrated that tempol acts mostly as a reversible inhibitor of MPO by trapping it as MPO-II and the MPO-II-tempol complex, which are not within the chlorinating cycle. After turnover, a minor fraction of MPO is irreversibly inactivated, probably due to its reaction with the oxammonium cation resulting from tempol oxidation. Kinetic modelling indicated that taurine reacts with enzyme-bound hypochlorous acid. Our investigation complements a comprehensive study reported while the present study was underway     

Melatonin is a potent inhibitor for myeloperoxidase

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) catalyzes the formation of potent oxidants that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases including atherosclerosis, asthma, arthritis, and cancer. Melatonin plays an important part in the regulation of various body functions including circadian sleep rhythms, blood pressure, oncogenesis, retinal function, seasonal reproduction, and immunity. Here, we demonstrate that melatonin serves as a potent inhibitor of MPO under physiological-like conditions. In the presence of chloride (Cl-), melatonin inactivated MPO at two points in the classic peroxidase cycle through binding to MPO to form an inactive complex, melatonin-MPO-Cl, and accelerating MPO compound II formation, an inactive form of MPO. Inactivation of MPO was mirrored by the direct conversion of MPO-Fe(III) to MPO compound II without any sign of compound I accumulation. This behavior indicates that melatonin binding modulates the formation of MPO intermediates and their decay rates. The Cl- presence enhanced the affinity of MPO toward melatonin, which switches the enzyme activity from peroxidation to catalase-like activity. In the absence of Cl-, melatonin served as a 1e- substrate for MPO compound I, but at higher concentration it limited the reaction by its dissociation from the corresponding complex. Importantly, melatonin-dependent inhibition of MPO occurred with a wide range of concentrations that span various physiological and supplemental ranges. Thus, the interplay between MPO and melatonin may have a broader implication in the function of several biological systems. This dual regulation by melatonin is unique and represents a new means through which melatonin can control MPO and its downstream inflammatory pathways.     

Myeloperoxidase-induced Genomic DNA-centered Radicals

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) released by activated neutrophils can initiate and promote carcinogenesis. MPO produces hypochlorous acid (HOCl) that oxidizes the genomic DNA in inflammatory cells as well as in surrounding epithelial cells. DNA-centered radicals are early intermediates formed during DNA oxidation. Once formed, DNA-centered radicals decay by mechanisms that are not completely understood, producing a number of oxidation products that are studied as markers of DNA oxidation. In this study we employed the 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide-based immuno-spin trapping technique to investigate the MPO-triggered formation of DNA-centered radicals in inflammatory and epithelial cells and to test whether resveratrol blocks HOCl-induced DNA-centered radical formation in these cells. We found that HOCl added exogenously or generated intracellularly by MPO that has been taken up by the cell or by MPO newly synthesized produces DNA-centered radicals inside cells. We also found that resveratrol passed across cell membranes and scavenged HOCl before it reacted with the genomic DNA, thus blocking DNA-centered radical formation. Taken together our results indicate that the formation of DNA-centered radicals by intracellular MPO may be a useful point of therapeutic intervention in inflammation-induced carcinogenesis.     

Mechanism of autocatalytic oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by nitrite. An intermediate detected by electron spin resonance

Oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by nitrite is characterized by the presence of a lag phase followed by the autocatalysis. Just before the autocatalysis begins, an asymmetric ESR signal is detected which is similar to that of the methemoglobin radical generated from methemoglobin and H2O2 in shape, g value (2.005), peak-to-peak width (18 G) and other properties, except the difference in the dependence on temperature. Generation of H2O2 is indicated by the prolongation of the lag phase by the addition of catalase. On the other hand, the oxidation is modified by neither superoxide dismutase nor Nitroblue tetrazolium. The oxidation is prolonged in the presence of KCN. The present results indicate a free-radical mechanism for the oxidation in which the asymmetric radical catalyzes the formation of NO2 from NO2- by a peroxidase action and NO2 oxidizes oxyhemoglobin in the autocatalytic phase.     

Oxidation of tryptophan by redox intermediates of myeloperoxidase and inhibition of hypochlorous acid production

Abstract

The neutrophil enzyme myeloperoxidase catalyzes the oxidation of tyrosine to tyrosyl radicals, which cross-link to proteins and initiate lipid peroxidation. Tryptophan is present in plasma at about the same concentration as tyrosine and has a similar one-electron reduction potential. In this investigation, we have determined the ability of myeloperoxidase to catalyze the oxidation of tryptophan to assess whether or not this reaction may contribute to oxidative stress at sites of inflammation. We show that tryptophan is a poor substrate for myeloperoxidase because, even though it reacts rapidly with compound I (k_I 2.1×10⁶ M^-1s^-1), it reacts sluggishly with compound II (k_II 7 M^-1s^-1). Tryptophan reversibly inhibited production of hypochlorous acid by purified myeloperoxidase by converting the enzyme to a mixture of compound II and compound III. It gave 50% inhibition (I₅₀) at a concentration of 2 µM. In contrast, it was an ineffective inhibitor of hypochlorous acid production by human neutrophils (I₅₀ 80 µM) unless superoxide dismutase was present (I₅₀ 5 µM). We propose that compound I of myeloperoxidase will oxidize tryptophan at sites of inflammation. Enzyme turnover will result from the reaction of superoxide or tyrosine with compound II. Thus, tryptophan radicals are potential candidates for exacerbating oxidative stress during inflammation.     

Evaluation of the ability of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril to scavenge reactive oxygen species.

Captopril, an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, has been suggested to have additional cardioprotective action because of its ability to act as an antioxidant. The rates of reaction of captopril with several biologically-relevant reactive oxygen species were determined. Captopril reacts slowly, if at all, with superoxide (rate constant less than 10(3) M-1 s-1) or hydrogen peroxide (rate constant less than M-1 s-1). It does not inhibit peroxidation of lipids stimulated by iron ions and ascorbate or by the myoglobin/H2O2 system. Indeed, mixtures of ferric ion and captopril can stimulate lipid peroxidation. Captopril reacts rapidly with hydroxyl radical (rate constant greater than 10(9) M-1 s-1) but might be unlikely to compete with most biological molecules for OH because of the low concentration of captopril that can be achieved in vivo during therapeutic use. Captopril did not significantly inhibit iron ion-dependent generation of hydroxyl radicals from hydrogen peroxide. By contrast, captopril is a powerful scavenger of hypochlorous acid: it was able to protect alpha 1-antiproteinase (alpha 1 AP) against inactivation by this species and to prevent formation of chloramines from taurine. We suggest that the antioxidant action of captopril in vivo is likely to be limited, and may be restricted to protection against damage by hypochlorous acid derived from the action of neutrophil myeloperoxidase.     

The nitric oxide congener nitrite inhibits myeloperoxidase/H2O2/ Cl- -mediated modification of low density lipoprotein

Nitric oxide, a pivotal molecule in vascular homeostasis, is converted under aerobic conditions to nitrite. Recent studies have shown that myeloperoxidase (MPO), an abundant heme protein released by activated leukocytes, can oxidize nitrite (NO(2-)) to a radical species, most likely nitrogen dioxide. Furthermore, hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the major strong oxidant generated by MPO in the presence of physiological concentrations of chloride ions, can also react with nitrite, forming the reactive intermediate nitryl chloride. Since MPO and MPO-derived HOCl, as well as reactive nitrogen species, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis through oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL), we investigated the effects of physiological concentrations of nitrite (12.5-200 microm) on MPO-mediated modification of LDL in the absence and presence of physiological chloride concentrations. Interestingly, nitrite concentrations as low as 12.5 and 25 microm significantly decreased MPO/H2O2)/Cl- -induced modification of apoB lysine residues, formation of N-chloramines, and increases in the relative electrophoretic mobility of LDL. In contrast, none of these markers of LDL atherogenic modification were affected by the MPO/H2O2/NO2-) system. Furthermore, experiments using ascorbate (12.5-200 microm) and the tyrosine analogue 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (12.5-200 microm), which are both substrates of MPO, indicated that nitrite inhibits MPO-mediated LDL modifications by trapping the enzyme in its inactive compound II form. These data offer a novel mechanism for a potential antiatherogenic effect of the nitric oxide congener nitrite.     

Density-functional theory and ab initio Hartree-Fork studies on the structural parameters and chemical activity of the free radicals generated by benzoquinone and hydroquinone

Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for calculation of the theoretical spectra and the chemical activities of free radicals generated by benzoquinone and hydroquinone as well as the transition states, and the calculated spectra were used for the assignment of the frequencies observed in the experimental IR spectra. The calculated geometrical parameters, the predicted IR spectra, and the chemical activities of free radicals and transition states were also compared with those of benzoquinone and hydroquinone. The reactive mechanisms of free radicals generated by benzoquinone and hydroquinone are also discussed using ab initio Hartree-Fork (HF) methods.     

Inhibition of hyaluronan uptake in lymphatic tissue by chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan.

Stimulated neutrophils discharge large quantities of superoxide (O2.-), which dismutates to form H2O2. In combination with Cl-, H2O2 is converted into the potent oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl) by the haem enzyme myeloperoxidase. We have used an H2O2 electrode to monitor H2O2 uptake by myeloperoxidase, and have shown that in the presence of Cl- this accurately represents production of HOCl. Monochlorodimedon, which is routinely used to assay production of HOCl, inhibited H2O2 uptake by 95%. This result confirms that monochlorodimedon inhibits myeloperoxidase, and that the monochlorodimedon assay grossly underestimates the activity of myeloperoxidase. With 10 microM-H2O2 and 100 mM-Cl-, myeloperoxidase had a neutral pH optimum. Increasing the H2O2 concentration to 100 microM lowered the pH optimum to pH 6.5. Above the pH optimum there was a burst of H2O2 uptake that rapidly declined due to accumulation of Compound II. High concentrations of H2O2 inhibited myeloperoxidase and promoted the formation of Compound II. These effects of H2O2 were decreased at higher concentrations of Cl-. We propose that H2O2 competes with Cl- for Compound I and reduces it to Compound II, thereby inhibiting myeloperoxidase. Above pH 6.5, O2.- generated by xanthine oxidase and acetaldehyde prevented H2O2 from inhibiting myeloperoxidase, increasing the initial rate of H2O2 uptake. O2.- allowed myeloperoxidase to function optimally with 100 microM-H2O2 at pH 7.0. This occurred because, as previously demonstrated, O2.- prevents Compound II from accumulating by reducing it to ferric myeloperoxidase. In contrast, at pH 6.0, where Compound II did not accumulate, O2.- retarded the uptake of H2O2. We propose that by generating O2.- neutrophils prevent H2O2 and other one-electron donors from inhibiting myeloperoxidase, and ensure that this enzyme functions optimally at neutral pH.     

Reduced glutathione protection against rat liver microsomal injury by carbon tetrachloride. Dependence on O2.

Rat liver microsomal membranes contain a reduced-glutathione-dependent protein(s) that inhibits lipid peroxidation in the ascorbate/iron microsomal lipid peroxidation system. It appears to exert its protective effect by scavenging free radicals. The present work was carried out to assess the effect of this reduced-glutathione-dependent mechanism on carbon tetrachloride-induced microsomal injury and on carbon tetrachloride metabolism because they are known to involve free radicals. Rat liver microsomes were incubated at 37 degrees C with NADPH, EDTA and carbon tetrachloride. The addition of 1 mM-reduced glutathione (GSH) markedly inhibited lipid peroxidation and glucose 6-phosphatase inactivation and, to a lesser extent, inhibited cytochrome P-450 destruction. GSH also inhibited covalent binding of [14C]carbon tetrachloride-derived 14C to microsomal protein. These results indicate that a GSH-dependent mechanism functions to protect the microsomal membrane against free-radical injury in the carbon tetrachloride system as well as in the iron-based systems. Under anaerobic conditions, GSH had no effect on chloroform formation, carbon tetrachloride-induced destruction of cytochrome P-450 or covalent binding of [14C]carbon tetrachloride-derived 14C to microsomal protein. Thus, the GSH protective mechanism appears to be O2-dependent. This suggests that it may be specific for O2-based free radicals. This O2-dependent GSH protective mechanism may partly underlie the observed protection of hyperbaric O2 against carbon tetrachloride-induced lipid peroxidation and hepatotoxicity.     

Mechanism of reaction of myeloperoxidase with hydrogen peroxide and chloride ion.

The reaction of myeloperoxidase compound I (MPO-I) with chloride ion is widely assumed to produce the bacterial killing agent after phagocytosis. Two values of the rate constant for this important reaction have been published previously: 4.7 x 106 M-1.s-1 measured at 25 degrees C [Marquez, L.A. and Dunford, H.B. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 30434-30440], and 2.5 x 104 M-1.s-1 at 15 degrees C [Furtmüller, P.G., Burner, U. & Obinger, C. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 17923-17930]. The present paper is the result of a collaboration of the two groups to resolve the discrepancy in the rate constants. It was found that the rate constant for the reaction of compound I, generated from myeloperoxidase (MPO) and excess hydrogen peroxide with chloride, decreased with increasing chloride concentration. The rate constant published in 1995 was measured over a lower chloride concentration range; the 1998 rate constant at a higher range. Therefore the observed conversion of compound I to native enzyme in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and chloride ion cannot be attributed solely to the single elementary reaction MPO-I + Cl- --> MPO + HOCl. The simplest mechanism for the overall reaction which fit the experimental data is the following: MPO+H2O2 ⇄k-1k1 MPO-I+H2O MPO-I+Cl- ⇄k-2k2 MPO-I-Cl- MPO-I-Cl- -->k3 MPO+HOCl where MPO-I-Cl- is a chlorinating intermediate. We can now say that the 1995 rate constant is k2 and the corresponding reaction is rate-controlling at low [Cl-]. At high [Cl-], the reaction with rate constant k3 is rate controlling. The 1998 rate constant for high [Cl-] is a composite rate constant, approximated by k2k3/k-2. Values of k1 and k-1 are known from the literature. Results of this study yielded k2 = 2.2 x 106 M-1.s-1, k-2 = 1.9 x 105 s-1 and k3 = 5.2 x 104 s-1. Essentially identical results were obtained using human myeloperoxidase and beef spleen myeloperoxidase.