Role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trypanosoma cruzi</Emphasis> peroxiredoxins in mitochondrial bioenergetics

Trypanosoma cruzi cytosolic (TcCPx) and mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase (TcMPx) play a fundamental role in H₂O₂ detoxification. Herein, mitochondrial bioenergetics was evaluated in cells that overexpressed TcCPx (CPx) and TcMPx (MPx) and in pTEX. In MPx, a higher expression was observed for TcCPx, and the same correlation was true for CPx. Differences in H₂O₂ release among the overexpressing cells were detected when the mitochondrial respiratory chain was inhibited using antimycin A or thenoyltrifluoroacetone. MPx had higher O₂ consumption rates than pTEX and CPx, especially in the presence of oligomycin. In all of the cells, the mitochondrial membrane potential and the ATP levels were similar. Because of the mild uncoupling that was observed in MPx, the presence or induction of a proton transporter in the mitochondrial membrane is suggested when TcMPx is expressed at higher levels. Our results show a possible interplay between the cytosolic and mitochondrial antioxidant systems in a trypanosomatid.     

Extramitochondrial localization of NADH-fumarate reductase in trypanosomatids

Trypanosoma brucei procyclic trypomastigotes and T. cruzi epimastigotes (both Tulahuen and Y strains) were permeabilized by incubation with increasing amounts of digitonin, causing enzymes to be released from different intracellular compartments. After 10 min incubation with digitonin, the cells were centrifuged and the activity of marker enzymes (aspartate-dependent malic enzyme for cytoplasm, hexokinase for glycosomes and either isocitrate dehydrogenase or citrate synthase for mitochondria) was analyzed in the supernatant. The results were compared with the release of NADH-fumarate reductase in order to determine if this enzyme was preferentially released with a specific intracellular marker. Fumarate reductase was released at lower digitonin concentration than those required to either release isocitrate dehydrogenase or citrate synthase. Similarly, Leishmania donovani promastigotes (S-2 strain) were exposed to a single concentration of digitonin (200 micro M) but in this case we monitored the release of fumarate reductase and hexokinase, while monitoring the mitochondrial membrane potential (using safranine O). Again, substantial fumarate reductase and hexokinase activities were released without loss of mitochondrial membrane potential indicating that part of the enzyme was released while the inner mitochondrial membrane remained intact. These results suggest that, in the three species of trypanosomatids the enzyme fumarate reductase is, at least in part, located outside the mitochondrial matrix.     

Unraveling the substrate-metal binding site of ferrochelatase: an X-ray absorption spectroscopic study

Ferrochelatase (EC 4.99.1.1), the terminal enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway, catalyzes the insertion of ferrous iron into the protoporphyrin IX ring. Ferrochelatases can be arbitrarily divided into two broad categories: those with and those without a [2Fe-2S] center. In this work we have used X-ray absorption spectroscopy to investigate the metal ion binding sites of murine and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) ferrochelatases, which are representatives of the former and latter categories, respectively. Co(2+) and Zn(2+) complexes of both enzymes were studied, but the Fe(2+) complex was only studied for yeast ferrochelatase because the [2Fe-2S] center of the murine enzyme interferes with the analysis. Co(2+) and Zn(2+) binding to site-directed mutants of the murine enzyme were also studied, in which the highly conserved and potentially metal-coordinating residues H207 and Y220 were substituted by residues that should not coordinate metal (i.e., H207N, H207A, and Y220F). Our experiments indicate four-coordinate zinc with Zn(N/O)(3)(S/Cl)(1) coordination for the yeast and Zn(N/O)(2)(S/Cl)(2) coordination for the wild-type murine enzyme. In contrast to zinc, a six-coordinate site for Co(2+) coordinated with oxygen or nitrogen was present in both the yeast and murine (wild-type and mutated) enzymes, with evidence of two histidine ligands in both. Like Co(2+), Fe(2+) bound to yeast ferrochelatase was coordinated by approximately six oxygen or nitrogen ligands, again with evidence of two histidine ligands. For the murine enzyme, mutation of both H207 and Y220 significantly changed the spectra, indicating a likely role for these residues in metal ion substrate binding. This is in marked disagreement with the conclusions from X-ray crystallographic studies of the human enzyme, and possible reasons for this are discussed.     

Enzymatic activity, protein expression, and gene sequence of cruzipain in virulent and attenuated Trypanosoma cruzi strains.

Protein expression, characterized in Western blots and gelatinolytic activity, of cruzipain (Cr), the major Trypanosoma cruzi cysteine proteinase, was compared among 3 attenuated T. cruzi strains (TUL 0, TCC, and Y null) and their virulent counterparts (TUL 2, Tulahuen, and Y). All attenuated strains displayed a weaker gelatinolytic activity as compared with their virulent counterparts. The electrophoretic mobility and immunological reactivity revealed quantitative and qualitative differences, with the attenuated parasites showing bands of less density in all strains and lower mobility in 2 of them, as compared with the virulent strains. Sequence analysis of 1 Cr gene in the Tulahuen and TCC strains indicated 37/1404 base pair substitutions, corresponding to 20 amino acid changes in the attenuated strain. A similar comparative analysis of 1 Cr gene between Y and Y null strains showed 13/1404 base pair substitutions, corresponding to 8 amino acid changes in the attenuated strain. Although enough variability exists in the Cr gene to allow for less- or nonfunctional isoforms of the protein, further clones should be analyzed to establish whether attenuation is regularly associated with specific sequence changes of this enzyme.     

Analysis of growth phase regulated KatA and CatE and their physiological roles in determining hydrogen peroxide resistance in Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Agrobacterium tumefaciens possesses two catalases, a bifunctional catalase-peroxidase, KatA and a homologue of a growth phase regulated monofunctional catalase, CatE. In stationary phase cultures and in cultures entering stationary phase, total catalase activity increased 2-fold while peroxidase activity declined. katA and catE were found to be independently regulated in a growth phase dependent manner. KatA levels were highest during exponential phase and declined as cells entered stationary phase, while CatE was detectable at early exponential phase and increased during stationary phase. Only small increases in H2O2 resistance levels were detected as cells entering stationary phase. The katA mutant was more sensitive to H2O2 than the parental strain during both exponential and stationary phase. Inactivation of catE alone did not significantly change the level of H2O2 resistance. However, the katA catE double mutant was more sensitive to H2O2 during both exponential and stationary phase than either of the single catalase mutants. The data indicated that KatA plays the primary role and CatE acts synergistically in protecting A. tumefaciens from H2O2 toxicity during all phases of growth. Catalase-peroxidase activity (KatA) was required for full H2O2 resistance. The expression patterns of the two catalases in A. tumefaciens reflect their physiological roles in the protection against H2O2 toxicity, which are different from other bacteria.     

Regulation of Raoultella terrigena comb.nov. phytase expression

Phytases catalyze the release of phosphate from phytate (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate) to inositol polyphosphates. Raoultella terrigena comb.nov. phytase activity is known to increase markedly after cells reach the stationary phase. In this study, phytase activity measurements made on single batch cultures indicated that specific enzyme activity was subject to catabolite repression. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) showed a positive effect in expression during exponential growth and a negative effect during stationary phase. RpoS exhibited the opposite effect during both growth phases; the induction to stationary phase decreased twofold in the rpoS::Tn10 mutant, but the effect of RpoS was not clearly determined. Two phy::MudI1734 mutants, MW49 and MW52, were isolated. These formed small colonies in comparison with the MW25 parent strain when plated on Luria-Bertani (LB) or LB supplemented with glucose. They did not grow in minimal media or under anaerobiosis, but did grow aerobically on LB and LB glucose at a lower rate than did MW25. The beta-galactosidase activity level in these mutants increased three to four fold during stationary growth in LB glucose and during anaerobiosis. Addition of cAMP during the exponential growth of MW52 on LB glucose provoked a decrease in beta-galactosidase activity during the stationary phase, confirming its negative effect on phytase expression during stationary growth.     

The beta G156C substitution in the F1-ATPase from the thermophilic Bacillus PS3 affects catalytic site cooperativity by destabilizing the closed conformation of the catalytic site

Fluorescence titrations of the alpha(3)(betaG(156)C/Y(345)W)(3)gamma, alpha(3)(betaE(199)V/Y(345)W)(3)gamma, and alpha(3)(betaY(345)W)(3)gamma subcomplexes of TF(1) with nucleotides show that the betaG(156)C substitution substantially lowers the affinity of catalytic sites for ATP and ADP with or without Mg(2+), whereas the betaE(199)V substitution increases the affinity of catalytic sites for nucleotides. Whereas the alpha(3)(betaG(156)C)(3)gamma and alpha(3)(betaE(199)V)(3)gamma subcomplexes hydrolyze 2 mM ATP at 2% and 0.7%, respectively, of the rate exhibited by the wild-type enzyme, the alpha(3)(betaG(156)C/E(199)V)(3)gamma hydrolyzes 2 mM ATP at 9% the rate exhibited by the wild-type enzyme. The alpha(3)(betaG(156)C)(3)gamma, alpha(3)(betaG(156)C/E(199)V)(3)gamma, and alpha(3)(betaG(156)C/E(199)V/Y(345)W)(3)gamma subcomplexes resist entrapment of inhibitory MgADP in a catalytic site during turnover. Product [(3)H]ADP remains tightly bound to a single catalytic site when the wild-type, betaE(199)V, betaY(345)W, and betaE(199)V/Y(345)W subcomplexes hydrolyze substoichiometric [(3)H]ATP, whereas it is not retained by the betaG(156)C and betaG(156)C/Y(345)W subcomplexes. Less firmly bound, product [(3)H]ADP is retained when the betaG(156)C/E(199)V and betaG(156)C/E(199)V/Y(345)W mutants hydrolyze substoichiometric [(3)H]ATP. The Lineweaver-Burk plot obtained with the betaG(156)C mutant is curved downward in a manner indicating that its catalytic sites act independently during ATP hydrolysis. In contrast, the betaG(156)C/E(199)V and betaG(156)C/E(199)V/Y(345)W mutants hydrolyze ATP with linear Lineweaver-Burk plots, indicating cooperative trisite catalysis. It appears that the betaG(156)C substitution destabilizes the closed conformation of a catalytic site hydrolyzing MgATP in a manner that allows release of products in the absence of catalytic site cooperativity. Insertion of the betaE(199)V substitution into the betaG(156)C mutant restores cooperativity by restricting opening of the catalytic site hydrolyzing MgATP for product release until an open catalytic site binds MgATP.     

Loganin protects against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis by inhibiting phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and ERK 1/2 MAPKs in SH-SY5Y cells

We investigated the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of loganin against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced neuronal toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. The neuroprotective effect of loganin was investigated by treating SH-SY5Y cells with H(2)O(2) and then measuring the reduction in H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis using 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. Following H(2)O(2) exposure, Hoechst 33258 staining indicated nuclear condensation in a large proportion of SH-SY5Y cells, along with an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and an intracellular decrease in mitochondria membrane potential (MMP). Loganin was effective in attenuating all the above-stated phenotypes induced by H(2)O(2). Pretreatment with loganin significantly increased cell viability, reduced H(2)O(2)-induced LDH release and ROS production, and effectively increased intracellular MMP. Pretreatment with loganin also significantly decreased the nuclear condensation induced by H(2)O(2). Western blot data revealed that loganin inhibited the H(2)O(2)-induced up-regulation of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and cleaved caspase-3, increased the H(2)O(2)-induced decrease in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and attenuated the H(2)O(2)-induced release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol. Furthermore, pretreatment with loganin significantly attenuated the H(2)O(2)-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2). These results suggest that the protective effects of loganin against H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis may be due to a decrease in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio expression due to the inhibition of the phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and ERK 1/2 MAPKs. Loganin's neuroprotective properties indicate that this compound may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.     

A novel 65-mer peptide imitates the synergism of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in cell growth, differentiation, and death. Excessive amounts of ROS (e.g., O(2)(-), H(2)O(2), and HO) play a role in aging as well as in many human diseases. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) are critical antioxidant enzymes in living organisms. SOD catalyzes the dismutation of O(2)(-) to H(2)O(2), and GPx catalyzes the reduction of H(2)O(2) and other harmful peroxides by glutathione (GSH). They not only function in catalytic processes but also protect each other, resulting in more efficient removal of ROS, protection of cells against injury, and maintenance of the normal metabolism of ROS. To imitate the synergism of SOD and GPx, a 65-mer peptide (65P), containing sequences that form the domains of the active center of SOD and the catalytic triad of GPx upon the incorporation of some metals, was designed on the basis of native enzyme structural models; 65P was expressed in the cysteine auxotrophic expression system to obtain Se-65P. Se-65P was converted into Se-CuZn-65P by incorporating Cu(2+) and Zn(2+). Se-CuZn-65P exhibited high SOD and GPx activities because it has a delicate dual-activity center. The synergism of the enzyme mimic was evaluated by using an in vitro model and a xanthine/xanthine oxidase/Fe(2+)-induced mitochondrial damage model system. We anticipate that the peptide enzyme mimic with synergism is promising for the treatment of human diseases and has potential applications in medicine as a potent antioxidant.     

New enzyme immunoassays for specific assay and general detection of Trypanosoma cruzi, epimastigotes.

A highly specific competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the epimastigote of Tulahuen strain was developed by using the usual 3 immunological reagents, a rabbit antiserum specific for T. cruzi, epimastigote of Tulahuen strain, beta-D-galactosidase-labeled goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G and the solid-phase cell fragments of the epimastigote of Tulahuen strain. A new method, the selected antibody enzyme immunoassay (SAEIA) which generally detected all strains of the epimastigote tested with the same working range, was developed by changing only the solid-phase antigen to the epimastigote of Y strain among the 3 immunological reagents. Both assays permitted us to measure accurately as little as 1,000 parasites per assay tube. Scope of the SAEIA was limited to the epimastigote. Both life-cycle forms of T. cruzi which appear in mammals, amastigote and trypomastigote, and other kinetoplastids showed low cross-reaction values by the assay. The assay principle of the new method and a preliminary study to apply the SAEIA for finding the field T. cruzi-infected insect vectors were also reported.     

Influence of phase I duration on phase II VO2 kinetics parameter estimates in older and young adults

Older adults (O) may have a longer phase I pulmonary O(2) uptake kinetics (Vo(2)(p)) than young adults (Y); this may affect parameter estimates of phase II Vo(2)(p). Therefore, we sought to: 1) experimentally estimate the duration of phase I Vo(2)(p) (EE phase I) in O and Y subjects during moderate-intensity exercise transitions; 2) examine the effects of selected phase I durations (i.e., different start times for modeling phase II) on parameter estimates of the phase II Vo(2)(p) response; and 3) thereby determine whether slower phase II kinetics in O subjects represent a physiological difference or a by-product of fitting strategy. Vo(2)(p) was measured breath-by-breath in 19 O (68 ± 6 yr; mean ± SD) and 19 Y (24 ± 5 yr) using a volume turbine and mass spectrometer. Phase I Vo(2)(p) was longer in O (31 ± 4 s) than Y (20 ± 7 s) (P < 0.05). In O, phase II τVo(2)(p) was larger (P < 0.05) when fitting started at 15 s (49 ± 12 s) compared with fits starting at the individual EE phase I (43 ± 12 s), 25 s (42 ± 10 s), 35 s (42 ± 12 s), and 45 s (45 ± 15 s). In Y, τVo(2)(p) was not affected by the time at which phase II Vo(2)(p) fitting started (τVo(2)(p) = 31 ± 7 s, 29 ± 9 s, 30 ± 10 s, 32 ± 11 s, and 30 ± 8 s for fittings starting at 15 s, 25 s, 35 s, 45 s, and EE phase I, respectively). Fitting from EE phase I, 25 s, or 35 s resulted in the smallest CI τVo(2)(p) in both O and Y. Thus, fitting phase II Vo(2)(p) from (but not constrained to) 25 s or 35 s provides consistent estimates of Vo(2)(p) kinetics parameters in Y and O, despite the longer phase I Vo(2)(p) in O.     

Macrophage activation and histopathological findings in Calomys callosus and Swiss mice infected with several strains of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Peritoneal macrophage activation as measured by H2O2 release and histopathology was compared between Swiss mice and Calomys callosus, a wild rodent, reservoir of Trypanosoma cruzi, during the course of infection with four strains of this parasite. In mice F and Y strain infections result in high parasitemia and mortality while with silvatic strains Costalimai and M226 parasitemia is sub-patent, with very low mortality. H2O2 release peaked at 33.6 and 59 nM/2 x 10(6) cells for strains Y and F, respectively, 48 and 50 nM/2 x 10(6) for strains Costalimai and M226, at different days after infection. Histopathological findings of myositis, myocarditis, necrotizing arteritis and absence of macrophage parasitism were found for strains F and Costalimai. Y strain infection presented moderate myocarditis and myositis, with parasites multiplying within macrophages. In C. callosus all four strains resulted in patent parasitemia which was eventually overcome, with scarce mortality. H2O2 release for strains Y and F was comparable to that of mice-peaks of 27 and 53 nM/2 x 10(6) cells, with lower values for strains Costalimai and M226-16.5 and 4.6 nM/2 x 10(6) cells, respectively. Histopathological lesions with Y and F strain injected animals were comparable to those of mice at the onset of infections; they subsided completely at the later stages with Y strain and partially with F strain infected C. callosus. In Costalimai infected C. callosus practically no histopathological alterations were observed.     

Water-soluble benzoheterocycle triosmium clusters as potential inhibitors of telomerase enzyme

We have studied the ability of several bioorganometallic clusters [(mu-H)Os(3)(CO)(9)(L)(mu(3)-eta(2)-(Q-H))], where L = [P(C(6)H(4)SO(3)Na)(3)] or [P(OCH(2)CH(2)NMe(3)I)(3)], and Q = quinoline, 3-aminoquinoline, quinoxaline or phenanthridine, of inhibiting telomerase, a crucial enzyme for cancer progression. In general, quinolines have shown interesting biological properties, especially in inhibiting enzymes. For example, the 2,3,7-trichloro-5-nitroquinoxaline (TNQX) exhibited strong anti-telomerase activity in vitro. Among the quinoline-clusters under study, only the negatively charged ones (by virtue of the sulfonated phosphines) exhibited good anti-telomerasic activity on semi-purified enzyme in a cell-free assay, while they were ineffective in vitro on Taq, a different DNA-polymerase. On the contrary, the treatment of breast cancer MCF-7 cell line did not evidence any activity of these clusters, suggesting a low aptitude for crossing cell membrane. Furthermore, all clusters exhibited non-specific, acute cytotoxicy, probably due to accumulation on cell membranes by virtue of their amphiphilic character. A detailed study of Os uptake and accumulation in MCF-7 cells supported this hypothesis.     

Superoxide dismutase plays an important role in the survival of Lactobacillus sake upon exposure to elevated oxygen

In this study, the responses of two Lactobacillus sake strains to elevated oxygen concentrations at 8 degrees C were investigated. L. sake DSM 6333 (L. sake(sens)), unlike L. sake NCFB 2813 (L. sake(ins)), showed a low growth rate in the presence of 90% O(2) and a rapid loss in viability shortly after entry into stationary phase. The steady-state cytosolic superoxide radical (O(2)(-)) concentration in L. sake(sens) was 0.134 microM and in the oxygen-insensitive mutant LSUV4 it was 0.013 microM. The nine- to ten-fold decrease in the rate of O(2)(-) elimination in L. sake(sens) indicates the significance of the O(2)(-)-scavenging system in protecting against elevated O(2). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was 10- to 20-fold higher in L. sake(ins) than in L. sake(sens), depending on the growth phase. An oxygen-insensitive mutant of L. sake(sens), designated as strain LSUV4, had a ten-fold higher SOD activity than the wild-type strain, which likely restored its oxygen tolerance. Damage to proteins in L. sake(sens) was evidenced by the increased protein carbonyl content and reduced activities of the [Fe-S]-cluster-containing enzymes fumarase and fumarate reductase. This study forms a physiological basis for understanding the significance of elevated oxygen stress as an additional method for inhibition of microbial growth in relation to food preservation.     

Role of glutathione in regulation of hydroperoxidase I in growing Escherichia coli.

To examine role of glutathione in regulation of catalases in growing Escherichia coli, katG::lacZ and katE::lacZ fusions were transformed into a glutathione-deficient Escherichia coli strain and wild-type parent. In the absence of H2O2 and in the presence of the low H2O2 concentrations (0.1-3 mM), the gshA mutation stimulated katG::lacZ expression and the total catalase activity in exponential phase. In the absence of H2O2, the mutation in gshA also stimulated katE::lacZ expression. At higher H2O2 concentrations, the gshA mutation suppressed katG::lacZ expression and catalase activity. In stationary and mid-exponential phases, the intracellular concentrations of H2O2 in the gshA mutant were markedly increased compared to those in the wild type. These results suggest that glutathione may be involved in regulation of catalases.     

A single mutation responsible for temperature-sensitive entry and assembly defects in the VP1-2 protein of herpes simplex virus

Evidence for an essential role of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) tegument protein VP1-2 originated from the analysis of the temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant tsB7. At the nonpermissive temperature (NPT), tsB7 capsids accumulate at the nuclear pore, with defective genome release and substantially reduced virus gene expression. We compared the UL36 gene of tsB7 with that of the parental strain HFEM or strain 17 and identified four amino acid substitutions, 1061D → G, 1453Y → H, 2273Y → H, and 2558T → I. We transferred the UL36 gene from tsB7, HFEM, or strain 17 into a KOS background. While KOS recombinants containing the HFEM or strain 17 UL36 gene exhibited no ts defect, recombinants containing the tsB7 UL36 VP1-2 exhibited a 5-log deficiency at the NPT. Incubation at the NPT resulted in little or no virus gene expression, though limited expression could be detected in a highly delayed fashion. Using shift-down regimes, gene expression recovered and recapitulated the time course normally observed, indicating that the initial block was in a reversible pathway. Using temperature shift-up regimes, a second defect later in the replication cycle was also observed in the KOS.ts viruses. We constructed a further series of recombinants which contained subsets of the four substitutions. A virus containing the wild-type (wt) residue at position 1453 and with the other three residues being from tsB7 VP1-2 exhibited wt plaquing efficiency. Conversely, a virus containing the three wt residues but the single Y → H change at position 1453 from tsB7 exhibited a 4- to 5-log drop in plaquing efficiency and was defective at both early and late stages of infection.     

pH dependence of proton translocation in the oxidative and reductive phases of the catalytic cycle of cytochrome c oxidase. The role of H2O produced at the oxygen-reduction site

A study is presented on the pH dependence of proton translocation in the oxidative and reductive phases of the catalytic cycle of purified cytochrome c oxidase (COX) from beef heart reconstituted in phospholipid vesicles (COV). Protons were shown to be released from COV both in the oxidative and reductive phases. In the oxidation by O2 of the fully reduced oxidase, the H+/COX ratio for proton release from COV (R --> O transition) decreased from approximately 2.4 at pH 6.5 to approximately 1.8 at pH 8.5. In the direct reduction of the fully oxidized enzyme (O --> R transition), the H+/COX ratio for proton release from COV increased from approximately 0.3 at pH 6.5 to approximately 1.6 at pH 8.5. Anaerobic oxidation by ferricyanide of the fully reduced oxidase, reconstituted in COV or in the soluble case, resulted in H+ release which exhibited, in both cases, an H+/COX ratio of 1.7-1.9 in the pH range 6.5-8.5. This H+ release associated with ferricyanide oxidation of the oxidase, in the absence of oxygen, originates evidently from deprotonation of acidic groups in the enzyme cooperatively linked to the redox state of the metal centers (redox Bohr protons). The additional H+ release (O2 versus ferricyanide oxidation) approaching 1 H+/COX at pH < or = 6.5 is associated with the reduction of O2 by the reduced metal centers. At pH > or = 8.5, this additional proton release takes place in the reductive phase of the catalytic cycle of the oxidase. The H+/COX ratio for proton release from COV in the overall catalytic cycle, oxidation by O2 of the fully reduced oxidase directly followed by re-reduction (R --> O --> R transition), exhibited a bell-shaped pH dependence approaching 4 at pH 7.2. A mechanism for the involvement in the proton pump of the oxidase of H+/e- cooperative coupling at the metal centers (redox Bohr effects) and protonmotive steps of reduction of O2 to H2O is presented.     

Antioxidant enzymes suppress nitric oxide production through the inhibition of NF-kappa B activation: role of H(2)O(2) and nitric oxide in inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in macrophages.

Reactive molecules O(-)(2), H(2)O(2), and nitrogen monoxide (NO) are produced from macrophages following exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and involved in cellular signaling for gene expression. Experiments were carried out to determine whether these molecules regulate inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression in RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to LPS. NO production was inhibited by the antioxidative enzymes catalase, horseradish peroxidase, and myeloperoxidase but not by superoxide dismutase (SOD). In contrast, the NO-producing activity of LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells was enhanced by the NO scavengers hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin. The antioxidant enzymes decreased levels of iNOS mRNA and protein in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, whereas the NOS inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine as well as Hb increased the level of iNOS protein but not mRNA, indicating that NO inhibits iNOS protein expression. NF-kappa B was activated in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and the activation was significantly inhibited by antioxidant enzymes, but not by Hb. Similar results were obtained using LPS-stimulated rodent peritoneal macrophages. Extracellular O(-)(2) generation by LPS-stimulated macrophages was suppressed by SOD, but not by antioxidative enzymes, while accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species was inhibited by antioxidative enzymes, but not by SOD. Exogenous H(2)O(2) induced NF-kappa B activation in macrophages, which was inhibited by catalase and pyrroline dithiocarbamate (PDTC). H(2)O(2) enhanced iNOS expression and NO production in peritoneal macrophages when added with interferon-gamma, and the effect of H(2)O(2) was inhibited by catalase and PDTC. These findings suggest that H(2)O(2) production from LPS-stimulated macrophages participates in the upregulation of iNOS expression via NF-kappa B activation and that NO is a negative feedback inhibitor of iNOS protein expression.