Bovine superoxide dismutase and copper ions potentiate the bactericidal effect of autoxidizing cysteine

When cysteine is oxidized by oxygen, hydrogen peroxide is formed, and hydrogen peroxide is very toxic to Peptostreptococcus anaerobius VPI 4330-1. Native and inactivated superoxide dismutase increased the rate of oxidation of cysteine and thereby potentiated the toxic effect of cysteine. A similar increase in the rate of oxidation of cysteine and in the toxicity of cysteine was obtained with Cu2+.     

Bactericidal effect of cysteine exposed to atmospheric oxygen.

Peptostreptococcus anaerobius VPI 4330-1 was exposed to atmospheric oxygen in a dilution bland (0.2% gelatin, salts, resazurin) solution. The organisms were rapidly killed when the solution contained cysteine. The organisms were effectively protected by catalase and horseradish peroxidase as well as by the metal ion-chelating agents 8-hydroxyquinoline and 2,2'-bipyridine. Superoxide dismutase increased the rate of killing of the organisms, whereas singlet oxygen quenchers and scavengers of hydroxyl free radicals did not protect the organisms from the toxic effect of cysteine. Hydrogen peroxide was formed when cysteine was exposed to oxygen in the dilution blank solution, and the reaction was inhibited by metal ion-chelating agents. The organisms were rapidly killed by 20 microM hydrogen peroxide in anaerobic dilution blank solution. The toxic effect of hydrogen peroxide in anaerobic dilution blank solution. The toxic effect of hydrogen peroxide was completely abolished by catalase and metal ion-chelating agents. These results indicated that hydrogen peroxide was formed in the dilution blank solution in a metal ion-catalyzed autoxidation of cysteine and that hydrogen peroxide was toxic to P. anaerobius VPI 4330-1 in a reaction also catalyzed by metal ions.     

Bactericidal effect of cysteine exposed to atmospheric oxygen.

Peptostreptococcus anaerobius VPI 4330-1 was exposed to atmospheric oxygen in a dilution bland (0.2% gelatin, salts, resazurin) solution. The organisms were rapidly killed when the solution contained cysteine. The organisms were effectively protected by catalase and horseradish peroxidase as well as by the metal ion-chelating agents 8-hydroxyquinoline and 2,2'-bipyridine. Superoxide dismutase increased the rate of killing of the organisms, whereas singlet oxygen quenchers and scavengers of hydroxyl free radicals did not protect the organisms from the toxic effect of cysteine. Hydrogen peroxide was formed when cysteine was exposed to oxygen in the dilution blank solution, and the reaction was inhibited by metal ion-chelating agents. The organisms were rapidly killed by 20 microM hydrogen peroxide in anaerobic dilution blank solution. The toxic effect of hydrogen peroxide in anaerobic dilution blank solution. The toxic effect of hydrogen peroxide was completely abolished by catalase and metal ion-chelating agents. These results indicated that hydrogen peroxide was formed in the dilution blank solution in a metal ion-catalyzed autoxidation of cysteine and that hydrogen peroxide was toxic to P. anaerobius VPI 4330-1 in a reaction also catalyzed by metal ions.     

Purification of reversibly oxidized proteins (PROP) reveals a redox switch controlling p38 MAP kinase activity

Oxidation of cysteine residues of proteins is emerging as an important means of regulation of signal transduction, particularly of protein kinase function. Tools to detect and quantify cysteine oxidation of proteins have been a limiting factor in understanding the role of cysteine oxidation in signal transduction. As an example, the p38 MAP kinase is activated by several stress-related stimuli that are often accompanied by in vitro generation of hydrogen peroxide. We noted that hydrogen peroxide inhibited p38 activity despite paradoxically increasing the activating phosphorylation of p38. To address the possibility that cysteine oxidation may provide a negative regulatory effect on p38 activity, we developed a biochemical assay to detect reversible cysteine oxidation in intact cells. This procedure, PROP, demonstrated in vivo oxidation of p38 in response to hydrogen peroxide and also to the natural inflammatory lipid prostaglandin J2. Mutagenesis of the potential target cysteines showed that oxidation occurred preferentially on residues near the surface of the p38 molecule. Cysteine oxidation thus controls a functional redox switch regulating the intensity or duration of p38 activity that would not be revealed by immunodetection of phosphoprotein commonly interpreted as reflective of p38 activity.     

Peroxynitrite oxidation of sulfhydryls. The cytotoxic potential of superoxide and nitric oxide.

Peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-) is a potent oxidant that mediates oxidation of both nonprotein and protein sulfhydryls. Endothelial cells, macrophages, and neutrophils can generate superoxide as well as nitric oxide, leading to the production of peroxynitrite anion in vivo. Apparent second order rate constants were 5,900 M-1.s-1 and 2,600-2,800 M-1.s-1 for the reaction of peroxynitrite anion with free cysteine and the single thiol of albumin, respectively, at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. These rate constants are 3 orders of magnitude greater than the corresponding rate constants for the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with sulfhydryls at pH 7.4. Unlike hydrogen peroxide, which oxidizes thiolate anion, peroxynitrite anion reacts preferentially with the undissociated form of the thiol group. Peroxynitrite oxidizes cysteine to cystine and the bovine serum albumin thiol group to an arsenite nonreducible product, suggesting oxidation beyond sulfenic acid. Peroxynitrous acid was a less effective thiol-oxidizing agent than its anion, with oxidation presumably mediated by the decomposition products, hydroxyl radical and nitrogen dioxide. The reactive peroxynitrite anion may exert cytotoxic effects in part by oxidizing tissue sulfhydryls.     

Oxidation of NADH by vanadium: kinetics, effects of ligands and role of H2O2 or O2.

The mechanism of oxidation of NADH by either vanadium(V) or vanadium(IV) was examined in the presence of reducing agents, complexing agents, and hydrogen peroxide. Reducing agents that stimulate the oxidation of NADH by V(V) include: a variety of cysteine analogues, glutathione, beta-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, and ascorbate. Complexing agents which stimulate NADH oxidation by V(V) include cystine, glutathione disulfide, and dehydroascorbate. Vanadium(IV)-dependent systems which oxidize NADH include combinations of V(IV) with cysteine or air alone. Combination of either V(V) or V(IV) with hydrogen peroxide leads to NADH oxidation. Based on kinetic analysis and the use of the diagnostic inhibitors--superoxide dismutase, catalase, albumin, mannitol, ethanol, and anaerobic conditions--we have assigned two major mechanisms of NADH oxidation. One is the previously reported mechanism which involves V(V)-superoxide as the NADH oxidant. This reaction is inhibited by superoxide dismutase and anaerobic conditions but not by catalase or ethanol. This reaction is observed for V(V) in the presence of reducing agents and complexing agents. The second reaction mechanism operates when V(IV) comes in contact with hydrogen peroxide and involves V(III)-superoxide as the NADH oxidant. This reaction is inhibited by catalase (if unligated hydrogen peroxide is an intermediate) and superoxide dismutase but not anaerobic conditions or ethanol. This mechanism is observed for reactions of V(IV) with air or hydrogen peroxide.     

Methylene blue photosensitized oxidation of cysteine sulfinic acid and other sulfinates: the involvement of singlet oxygen and the azide paradox

The methylene blue photosensitized oxidation of cysteine sulfinic acid is investigated. Enhancement of the oxygen consumption rate in deuterium oxide suggests the involvement of singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) in oxidation. Addition of the (1)O(2) quencher azide produced an unusual enhancement of the oxidation rate of all the sulfinates assayed. It is assumed that azide works as a one-electron carrier between (1)O(2) and the sulfur compounds. Analyses of the products indicate that the photochemical oxidation of cysteine sulfinic acid proceeds through two simultaneous mechanisms. The Type II (singlet oxygen) mechanism is responsible for oxidation of the sulfinic group to the sulfonic group with production of cysteic acid, stable to the photooxidation system, whereas the Type I (electron transfer) mechanism is involved in the degradation of cysteine sulfinic acid to acetaldehyde. Other products detected were ammonia, sulfate, and hydrogen peroxide which account for the degradation of cysteine sulfinic acid and for the excess of oxygen consumption detected during the oxidative reaction.     

Inactivation of Ascorbate Peroxidase by Thiols Requires Hydrogen Peroxide

The hydrogen peroxide-dependent oxidation of ascorbate by ascorbateperoxidase from tea leaves was inhibited by thiols, such asdithiothreitol, glutathione, mercaptoethanol and cysteine. Thesethiols themselves did not inactivate the enzyme. However, theyinactivated the enzyme when hydrogen peroxide was produced bythe metal-catalyzed oxidation of thiols or when exogenous hydrogenperoxide was added. Thiols were oxidized by ascorbate peroxidaseand hydrogen peroxide to thiyl radicals, as detected by theESR spectra of the thiyl radical-5,5'-dimethyll- pyrroline-N-oxidieadducts. Inactivation of ascorbate peroxidase by thiols andhydrogen peroxide is caused by the interaction of the enzymewith the thiyl radicals produced at its reaction center. (Received September 10, 1991; Accepted December 9, 1991)     

Inactivation of porcine kidney betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase by hydrogen peroxide

Concentrated urine formation in the kidney is accompanied by conditions that favor the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under hyperosmotic conditions, medulla cells accumulate glycine betaine, which is an osmolyte synthesized by betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH, EC 1.2.1.8). All BADHs identified to date have a highly reactive cysteine residue at the active site, and this cysteine is susceptible to oxidation by hydrogen peroxide. Porcine kidney BADH incubated with H(2)O(2) (0-500 μM) lost 25% of its activity. However, pkBADH inactivation by hydrogen peroxide was limited, even after 120 min of incubation. The presence of coenzyme NAD(+) (10-50 μM) increased the extent of inactivation (60%) at 120 min of reaction, but the ligands betaine aldehyde (50 and 500 μM) and glycine betaine (100 mM) did not change the rate or extent of inactivation as compared to the reaction without ligand. 2-Mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol, but not reduced glutathione, were able to restore enzyme activity. Mass spectrometry analysis of hydrogen peroxide inactivated BADH revealed oxidation of M278, M243, M241 and H335 in the absence and oxidation of M94, M327 and M278 in the presence of NAD(+). Molecular modeling of BADH revealed that the oxidized methionine and histidine residues are near the NAD(+) binding site. In the presence of the coenzyme, these oxidized residues are proximal to the betaine aldehyde binding site. None of the oxidized amino acid residues participates directly in catalysis. We suggest that pkBADH inactivation by hydrogen peroxide occurs via disulfide bond formation between vicinal catalytic cysteines (C288 and C289).     

Production of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in medium used to culture Legionella pneumophila: catalytic decomposition by charcoal

The difficulties associated with the growth of Legionella species in common laboratory media may be due to the sensitivity of these organisms to low levels of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals. Exposure of yeast extract (YE) broth to fluorescent light generated superoxide radicals (3 microM/h) and hydrogen peroxide (16 microM/h). Autoclaved YE medium was more prone to photochemical oxidation than YE medium sterilized by filtration. Activated charcoals and, to a lesser extent, graphite, but not starch, prevented photochemical oxidation of YE medium, decomposed hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals, and prevented light-accelerated autooxidation of cysteine. Also, suspensions of charcoal in phosphate buffer and in charcoal yeast extract medium readily decomposed exogenous peroxide (17 and 23 nmol/ml per min, respectively). Combinations of bovine superoxide dismutase and catalase also decreased the rate of photooxidation of YE medium. Medium protected from light did not accumulate appreciable levels of hydrogen peroxide, and autoclaved YE medium protected from light supported good growth of Legionella micdadei. Various species of Legionella (10(4) cells per ml) exhibited sensitivity to relatively low levels of hydrogen peroxide (26.5 microM) in challenge experiments. The level of hydrogen peroxide that accumulated in YE medium over a period of several hours (greater than 50 microM) was in excess of the level tolerated by Legionella pneumophila, which contained no measurable catalase activity. Strains of L. micdadei, Legionella dumoffi, and Legionella bozmanii contained this enzyme, but the presence of catalase did not appear to confer appreciable tolerance to exogenously generated hydrogen peroxide.     

Production of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in medium used to culture Legionella pneumophila: catalytic decomposition by charcoal.

The difficulties associated with the growth of Legionella species in common laboratory media may be due to the sensitivity of these organisms to low levels of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals. Exposure of yeast extract (YE) broth to fluorescent light generated superoxide radicals (3 microM/h) and hydrogen peroxide (16 microM/h). Autoclaved YE medium was more prone to photochemical oxidation than YE medium sterilized by filtration. Activated charcoals and, to a lesser extent, graphite, but not starch, prevented photochemical oxidation of YE medium, decomposed hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals, and prevented light-accelerated autooxidation of cysteine. Also, suspensions of charcoal in phosphate buffer and in charcoal yeast extract medium readily decomposed exogenous peroxide (17 and 23 nmol/ml per min, respectively). Combinations of bovine superoxide dismutase and catalase also decreased the rate of photooxidation of YE medium. Medium protected from light did not accumulate appreciable levels of hydrogen peroxide, and autoclaved YE medium protected from light supported good growth of Legionella micdadei. Various species of Legionella (10(4) cells per ml) exhibited sensitivity to relatively low levels of hydrogen peroxide (26.5 microM) in challenge experiments. The level of hydrogen peroxide that accumulated in YE medium over a period of several hours (greater than 50 microM) was in excess of the level tolerated by Legionella pneumophila, which contained no measurable catalase activity. Strains of L. micdadei, Legionella dumoffi, and Legionella bozmanii contained this enzyme, but the presence of catalase did not appear to confer appreciable tolerance to exogenously generated hydrogen peroxide.     

Cysteine-106 of DJ-1 is the most sensitive cysteine residue to hydrogen peroxide-mediated oxidation in vivo in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Mutation in DJ-1 gene is the cause of autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease, however, its physiological function remains unclear. The isoelectric point of DJ-1 shows an acidic shift after cells are treated with hydrogen peroxide. This suggests that DJ-1 is modified in response to oxidative stress. Here we report the structural characterization of an acidic isoform of DJ-1 using a proteomic approach with nanospray interface liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/linear ion trap mass spectrometer. When human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide, all three cysteines in DJ-1 were oxidized to cysteine sulphonic acid. Although a small part of the Cys-46 and Cys-53 were oxidized, Cys-106 was oxidized completely at any hydrogen peroxide concentration used here. These results suggest that Cys-106 is the most sensitive among three cysteine residues to oxidative stress, and that DJ-1 function is regulated, in terms of the intracellular redox state, by oxidation of Cys-106.     

Hydrogen sulfide is a novel potential virulence factor of Mycoplasma pneumoniae: characterization of the unusual cysteine desulfurase/desulfhydrase HapE

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a human pathogen causing atypical pneumonia with a minimalized and highly streamlined genome. So far, hydrogen peroxide production, cytadherence, and the ADP‐ribosylating CARDS toxin have been identified as pathogenicity determinants. We have studied haemolysis caused by M. pneumoniae, and discovered that hydrogen peroxide is responsible for the oxidation of heme, but not for lysis of erythrocytes. This feature could be attributed to hydrogen sulfide, a compound that has previously not been identified as virulence factor in lung pathogens. Indeed, we observed hydrogen sulfide production by M. pneumoniae. The search for a hydrogen sulfide‐producing enzyme identified HapE, a protein with similarity to cysteine desulfurases. In contrast to typical cysteine desulfurases, HapE is a bifunctional enzyme: it has both the cysteine desulfurase activity to produce alanine and the cysteine desulfhydrase activity to produce pyruvate and hydrogen sulfide. Experiments with purified HapE showed that the enzymatic activity of the protein is responsible for haemolysis, demonstrating that HapE is a novel potential virulence factor of M. pneumoniae.     

Neuromelanin can protect against iron-mediated oxidative damage in system modeling iron overload of brain aging and Parkinson's disease

In Parkinson's disease (PD), dopamine neurons containing neuromelanin selectively degenerate. Neuromelanin binds iron and accumulates in aging. Iron accumulates in reactive form during aging, PD, and is involved in neurodegeneration. It is not clear how the interaction of neuromelanin and iron can be protective or toxic by modulating redox processes. Here, we investigated the interaction of neuromelanin from human substantia nigra with iron in the presence of ascorbic acid, dopamine, and hydrogen peroxide. We observed that neuromelanin blocks hydroxyl radical production by Fenton's reaction, in a dose-dependent manner. Neuromelanin also inhibited the iron-mediated oxidation of ascorbic acid, thus sparing this major antioxidant molecule in brain. The protective effect of neuromelanin on ascorbate oxidation occurs even in conditions of iron overload into neuromelanin. The blockade of iron into a stable iron–neuromelanin complex prevents dopamine oxidation, inhibiting the formation of neurotoxic dopamine quinones. The above processes occur intraneuronally in aging and PD, thus showing that neuromelanin is neuroprotective. The iron–neuromelanin complex is completely decomposed by hydrogen peroxide and its degradation rate increases with the amount of iron bound to neuromelanin. This occurs in PD when extraneuronal iron–neuromelanin is phagocytosed by microglia and iron–neuromelanin degradation releases reactive/toxic iron.     

Oxidation of active center cysteine of bovine 1-Cys peroxiredoxin to the cysteine sulfenic acid form by peroxide and peroxynitrite.

Peroxiredoxins are antioxidant enzymes whose peroxidase activity depends on a redox-sensitive cysteine residue at the active center. In this study we investigated properties of the active center cysteine of bovine 1-Cys peroxiredoxin using a recombinant protein (BRPrx). The only cysteine residue of the BRPrx molecule was oxidized rapidly by an equimolar peroxide or peroxynitrite to the cysteine sulfenic acid. Approximate rates of oxidation of BRPrx by different peroxides were estimated using selenium glutathione peroxidase as a competitor. Oxidation of the active center cysteine of BRPrx by H2O2 proceeded only several times slowly than that of the selenocysteine of glutathione peroxidase. The rate of oxidation varied depending on peroxides tested, with H2O2 being about 7 and 80 times faster than tert-butyl hydroperoxide and cumene hydroperoxide, respectively. Peroxynitrite oxidized BRPrx slower than H2O2 but faster than tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Further oxidation of the cysteine sulfenic acid of BRPrx to higher oxidation states proceeded slowly. Oxidized BRPrx was reduced by dithiothreitol, dihydrolipoic acid, and hydrogen sulfide, and demonstrated peroxidase activity (about 30 nmol/mg/min) with these reductants as electron donors. beta-Mercaptoethanol formed a mixed disulfide and did not support peroxidase activity. Oxidized BRPrx did not react with glutathione, cysteine, homocysteine, N-acetyl-cysteine, and mercaptosuccinic acid.     

A low pKa cysteine at the active site of mouse methionine sulfoxide reductase A

Methionine sulfoxide reductase A is an essential enzyme in the antioxidant system which scavenges reactive oxygen species through cyclic oxidation and reduction of methionine and methionine sulfoxide. Recently it has also been shown to catalyze the reverse reaction, oxidizing methionine residues to methionine sulfoxide. A cysteine at the active site of the enzyme is essential for both reductase and oxidase activities. This cysteine has been reported to have a pK(a) of 9.5 in the absence of substrate, decreasing to 5.7 upon binding of substrate. Using three independent methods, we show that the pK(a) of the active site cysteine of mouse methionine sulfoxide reductase is 7.2 even in the absence of substrate. The primary mechanism by which the pK(a) is lowered is hydrogen bonding of the active site Cys-72 to protonated Glu-115. The low pK(a) renders the active site cysteine susceptible to oxidation to sulfenic acid by micromolar concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. This characteristic supports a role for methionine sulfoxide reductase in redox signaling.     

Inhibition of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase activity by H2O2

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase is the first and rate limiting enzyme of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, has potent effects on cell proliferation and mediates antimicrobial, antitumorogenic, and immunosuppressive effects. As a potent cytotoxic effector, the mechanisms of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase inhibition deserve greater attention. The work presented here represents the first systematic study exploring the mechanisms by which low levels of hydrogen peroxide (10-100 microM) inhibit indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in vitro. Following brief peroxide exposure both enzyme inhibition and structural changes were observed. Loss of catalysis was accompanied by oxidation of several cysteine residues to sulfinic and sulfonic acids, observed by electrospray and MALDI mass spectrometry. Enzyme activity could in part be preserved in the presence of sulfhydryl containing compounds, particularly DTT and methionine. However, these structural alterations did not prevent substrate (l-tryptophan) binding. Some enzyme activity could be recovered in the presence of thioredoxin, indicating that the inhibitory effect of H(2)O(2) is at least partially reversible in vitro. We present evidence that cysteine oxidation represents one mechanism of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase inhibition.     

Superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and singlet oxygen in hematoporphyrin derivative-cysteine, -NADH and -light systems

Hematoporphyrin derivative and light in the presence of cysteine or glutathione were found to convert oxygen to superoxide and hydrogen peroxide at pH less than approx. 6.5, while at pH greater than 6.5 no superoxide or hydrogen peroxide production was observed. However, at pH values greater than 6.5 the rate of oxygen consumption increased. This rate paralleled the acid dissociation curve of the cysteine thiol group and is consistent with the chemical quenching of 1O2 by cysteine. The superoxide and hydrogen peroxide formation observed below pH 6.5 appeared not to be related to the singlet oxygen production of hematoporphyrin derivative. In addition, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production was observed with hematoporphyrin derivative and light in the presence of NADH, both above and below pH 6.5. Direct detection of singlet oxygen luminescence at 1268 nm in the hematoporphyrin derivative-light system (2H2O as solvent) revealed an apparent linear increase in the singlet oxygen emission intensity as the p2H was raised from 7.0 to 10.0. Azide efficiently quenched this observed emission. In addition, at p2H 7.4, 1 mM cysteine resulted in a 40% reduction of the singlet oxygen luminescence, while at p2H 9.4 the signal was quenched by over 95% (under the experimental conditions employed). In total, we interpret these results as consistent with the chemical quenching of 1O2 by the ionized thiol group of cysteine.     

Acceleration of glycolysis in the presence of the non-phosphorylating and the oxidized phosphorylating glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases

Mild oxidation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in the presence of hydrogen peroxide leads to oxidation of some of the active site cysteine residues to sulfenic acid derivatives, resulting in the induction of acylphosphatase activity. The reduced active sites of the enzyme retain the ability to oxidize glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate yielding 1,3-diphosphoglycerate, while the oxidized active sites catalyze irreversible cleavage of 1,3-diphosphoglycerate. It was assumed that the oxidation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by different physiological oxidants must accelerate glycolysis due to uncoupling of the reactions of oxidation and phosphorylation. It was shown that the addition of hydrogen peroxide to the mixture of glycolytic enzymes or to the muscle extract increased production of lactate, decreasing the yield of ATP. A similar effect was observed in the presence of non-phosphorylating glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase catalyzing irreversible oxidation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate into 3-phosphoglycerate. A role of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in regulation of glycolysis is discussed.