Properties of the NADPH dehydrogenase component of the oxidase complex from rabbit peritoneal neutrophils: reconstitution of an oxidase activity with the dehydrogenase component and a membrane extract

A flavin-linked NADPH cytochrome c oxido-reductase of molecular mass 77-kDa was extracted from membranes of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils and purified in the presence of Triton X-100. The redox properties of this enzyme were examined. By some criteria including its high sensitivity to mersalyl, and its relatively high specificity for NADPH compared to NADH, the rabbit neutrophil NADPH cytochrome c reductase resembled NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. Limited proteolysis generated water soluble fragments, with molecular masses of 67-kDa and 57-kDa, which were still endowed with a substantial reductase activity. When added to a lysate of neutrophil membranes in octylglucoside, in the presence of an oxidase activation medium consisting of rabbit neutrophil cytosol, GTP-gamma-S, arachidonic acid and Mg2+, the purified reductase enhanced the production of O2-., suggesting that it forms part of the O2-. generating oxidase.     

Activation of O2(-)-generating oxidase in an heterologous cell-free system derived from Epstein-Barr-virus-transformed human B lymphocytes and bovine neutrophils. Application to the study of defects in cytosolic factors in chronic granulomatous disease.

Epstein-Barr-virus-transformed human B lymphocytes (EBV B lymphocytes) stimulated by 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate exhibit an NADPH-dependent oxidase activity capable of generating the superoxide anion O2-, similar to, but less efficient than that of activated neutrophils. A cell-free system of oxidase activation consisting of a membrane fraction and cytosol from EBV B lymphocyte homogenate supplemented with guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]), arachidonic acid and Mg2+ was found to be competent in the production of O2-, assessed by the superoxide-dismutase-sensitive reduction of cytochrome c in the presence of NADPH. However, cytochrome c reduction was slow and largely insensitive both to superoxide dismutase, and to iodonium biphenyl, a powerful inhibitor of the oxidase activity in neutrophils. A markedly faster reduction of cytochrome c in the presence of NADPH was obtained with a heterologous system consisting of cytosol from EBV B lymphocytes and bovine neutrophil membranes, GTP[S], arachidonic acid and Mg2+; in this system, reduction of cytochrome c was totally inhibited by superoxide dismutase and iodonium biphenyl. These results show that EBV B lymphocytes contain a substantial amount of cytosolic factors of oxidase activation, and that the limiting factors for O2- production in B lymphocytes are the membrane components of the oxidase complex. The heterologous system of EBV B lymphocyte cytosol and bovine neutrophil membranes provided a rapid and convenient method to diagnose cytosolic defects in autosomal forms of chronic granulomatous disease. In addition, it might be a useful tool to explore the mechanism of action of the cytosolic factors in oxidase activation.     

Activation of NADPH-dependent superoxide production in plasma membrane extracts of pig neutrophils by phosphatidic acid

Phosphatidic acid (PA), a molecule that is rapidly produced by the stimulated turnover of phospholipids in a variety of cells including blood neutrophils, elicited NADPH-dependent superoxide anion (O2-) production in detergent extracts from membranes of resting pig neutrophils. The stimulatory effect of PA was independent of cytosolic factors, differing from arachidonic acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate which, on the contrary, absolutely required the presence of cytosol to elicit the same result. The O2(-)-forming activity of the detergent extract activable by PA, as that by sodium dodecyl sulfate and arachidonic acid plus cytosol, was found in the chromatographic fractions containing cytochrome b558 and presented a chromatographic profile identical to that of the activated NADPH oxidase, which was obtained from neutrophils prestimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The PA-induced NADPH-dependent O2(-)-forming activity showed kinetic properties and sensitivity to the inhibitors similar to the classical ones of the activated neutrophil NADPH oxidase. The data suggest that, in this cell-free system, PA may stimulate O2- formation by direct interaction with latent NADPH oxidase of neutrophils or with some of its regulatory components.     

Diphenylene iodonium as an inhibitor of the NADPH oxidase complex of bovine neutrophils. Factors controlling the inhibitory potency of diphenylene iodonium in a cell-free system of oxidase activation.

Diphenylene iodonium (Ph2I), a lipophilic reagent, is an efficient inhibitor of the production of O2- by the activated NADPH oxidase of bovine neutrophils. In a cell-free system of NADPH oxidase activation consisting of neutrophil membranes and cytosol from resting cells, supplemented with guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, MgCl2 and arachidonic acid, or in membranes isolated from neutrophils activated by 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, addition of a reducing agent, e.g. NADPH or sodium dithionite, markedly enhanced inhibition of the NADPH oxidase by Ph2I. The membrane fraction was found to contain the Ph2I-sensitive component(s). In the presence of a concentration of Ph2I sufficient to fully inhibit O2- production (around 10 nmol/mg membrane protein), addition of catalytic amounts of the redox mediator dichloroindophenol (Cl2Ind) resulted in a by-pass of the electron flow to cytochrome c, the rate of which was about half of that determined in non-inhibited oxidase. A marked increase in the efficiency of this by-pass was achieved by addition of sodium deoxycholate. The Cl2-Ind-mediated cytochrome c reduction was negligible in membranes isolated from resting neutrophils. At a higher concentration of Ph2I (100 nmol/mg membrane protein), the Cl2Ind-mediated cytochrome c reductase activity was only half inhibited, which indicated that, in the NADPH oxidase complex, there are at least two Ph2I sensitive components, differing by their sensitivity to the inhibitor. At low concentrations of Ph2I (less than 10 nmol/mg protein), the spectrum of reduced cytochrome b558 in isolated neutrophil membranes was modified, suggesting that the component sensitive to low concentrations of Ph2I is the heme binding component of cytochrome b558. Higher concentrations of Ph2I were found to inhibit the isolated NADPH dehydrogenase component of the oxidase complex. A number of membrane and cytosolic proteins were labeled by [125I]Ph2I. However, the radiolabeling of a membrane-bound 24-kDa protein, which might be the small subunit of cytochrome b558, responded more specifically to the conditions of activation and reduction which are required for inhibition of O2- production by Ph2I. The O2(-)-generating form of xanthine oxidase was also inhibited by Ph2I. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase, a non-heme iron flavoprotein, by Ph2I had a number of features in common with that of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase, namely the requirement of reducing conditions for inhibition of O2- production by Ph2I and the induction of a by-pass of electron flow to cytochrome c by Cl2Ind in the inhibited enzyme, suggesting some similarity in the molecular organization of the two enzymes.     

Role of cytochrome b-559 in arachidonic acid activation of resting human neutrophils

Whether or not cytochrome b-559 is a necessary component of NADPH oxidase activity in neutrophils is still controversial. In highly purified plasma membranes isolated from resting neutrophils and lacking cytochrome b, addition of arachidonic acid induced an NADPH oxidase activity. This activity was similar to that of plasma membranes isolated from phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated cells which possessed cytochrome b. Addition of arachidonic acid to the latter plasma membranes did not alter the oxidase activity. It can be concluded that plasma membranes isolated from resting neutrophils have, in the presence of arachidonic acid, an NADPH oxidase activity similar to that of PMA-stimulated cells, except that it is independent of cytochrome b-559.     

NADPH oxidase of human neutrophils. Subcellular localization and characterization of an arachidonate-activatable superoxide-generating system

The superoxide-forming NADPH oxidase of human neutrophils was studied in subcellular fractions of unstimulated cells. Purified neutrophils were disrupted by nitrogen cavitation and separated on Percoll density gradients into four fractions: alpha, azurophil granules; beta, mostly specific granules; gamma, plasma membrane, and cytosol. NADPH-dependent O2-. formation by these fractions was quantitated as the rate of superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c. In the presence of cytosol, NADPH, and either arachidonic acid (optimum 90 microM) or sodium dodecyl sulfate (optimum 160 microM), 70-75% of the oxidase was in the beta fraction and about 25% was in the gamma fraction. A similar distribution was found for cytochrome b559 and FAD, two putative components of the oxidase. The reaction rates observed with arachidonic acid activation were sufficient to account for 25-75% of the O2-. generated by intact neutrophils. The properties of the beta and gamma enzymes were similar and closely resembled those of the oxidase in intact neutrophils or disrupted prestimulated cells. These included resistance to azide and cyanide, a pH optimum of 7.4, and a preference for NADPH (Km approximately 40-45 microM) rather than NADH (Km approximately 2.5 mM) as the electron donor. The combination of beta and gamma fractions displayed additive activity. The activatable oxidase required Mg2+ but not Ca2+. ATP was required for maximum reaction rates. When beta and gamma membranes were preincubated with cytosol and arachidonic acid in the presence of millimolar Mg2+ and then ultracentrifuged membrane-bound O2-. -forming activity was recovered in the pellet and the enzyme required only NADPH (i.e. no cytosol, arachidonic acid, or Mg2+) for expression of activity. These data suggest that cytosol contains a Mg2+-dependent oxidase-activating factor. Molecular sieve chromatography of cytosol indicated a single peak of activity (i.e. ability to activate O2-. generation by beta and/or gamma fraction) eluting with molecules of about 10,000 daltons.     

Exploration of the diaphorase activity of neutrophil NADPH oxidase.

In the O2- generating flavocytochrome b, the membrane-bound component of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase, electrons are transported from NADPH to O2 in the following sequence: NADPH --> FAD --> heme b -->O2. Although p-iodonitrotetrazolium (INT) has frequently been used as a probe of the diaphorase activity of the neutrophil flavocytochrome b, the propensity of its radical to interact reversibly with O2 led us to question its specificity. This study was undertaken to reexamine the interaction of INT with the redox components of the neutrophil flavocytochrome b. Two series of inhibitors were used, namely the flavin analog 5-deaza FAD and the heme inhibitors bipyridyl and benzylimidazole. The following results indicate that INT reacts preferentially with the hemes rather than with the FAD redox center of flavocytochrome b and is not therefore a specific probe of the diaphorase activity of flavocytochrome b. First, in anaerobiosis, reduced heme b in activated membranes was reoxidized by INT as efficiently as by O2 even in the presence of concentrations of 5-deaza FAD which fully inhibited the NADPH oxidase activity. Second, the titration curve of dithionite-reduced heme b in neutrophil membranes obtained by oxidation with increasing amounts of INT was strictly superimposable on that of dithionite-reduced hemin. Third, INT competitively inhibited the O2 uptake by the activated NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system. Finally, the heme inhibitor bipyridyl competitively inhibited the reduction of INT in anaerobiosis, and the oxygen uptake in aerobiosis.     

Inhibition of O2-. generating oxidase of neutrophils by iodonium biphenyl in a cell free system: effect of the redox state of the oxidase complex.

The conditions of inhibition of neutrophil O2-. generating oxidase by iodonium biphenyl (IBP) were studied. In a cell free system of oxidase activation consisting of neutrophil membranes and cytosol, GTP-gamma-S, Mg2+ and arachidonic acid, the inhibitory effect of IBP depended on the redox conditions of the medium. Inhibition was observed when the medium was supplemented with dithionite or NADPH. When the cell free system was incubated with IBP in the absence of reducing agents, full oxidase activity was recovered after removal of free IBP by gel filtration. Bovine neutrophil membranes, but not cytosol, contained component(s) sensitive to IBP. Upon treatment of neutrophil membranes by IBP followed by reduction, the spectrum of reduced cytochrome b558 was modified, suggesting that cytochrome b558 is a target site for IBP.     

NADPH-cytochrome c reductase from rabbit peritoneal neutrophils. Purification, properties and function in the respiratory burst.

An NADPH-dependent membrane-bound flavoprotein dehydrogenase, assayed as a catalyst of electron transfer from NADPH to cytochrome c, was extracted from membranes of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils with Triton X-100 and sodium deoxycholate in the presence of diisopropylfluorophosphate as antiprotease, and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. The purified enzyme in detergent was able to enhance the rate of formation of the superoxide anion O2- in a cell-free system, consisting of membrane and cytosolic fractions from resting neutrophils complemented with arachidonic acid, guanosine 5'-[gamma- thio]triphosphate and Mg2+. This suggested that the NADPH dehydrogenase was a component of the rabbit neutrophil oxidase complex. The purification factor of the enzyme with respect to the membrane fraction was close to 1000 and the recovery of activity was 33%. FMN and FAD were associated with the enzyme in a molar ratio close to 1. On SDS/PAGE, the enzyme migrated with a molecular mass of 77 kDa. A similar mass was determined by filtration on a molecular sieve. The isoelectric point of this enzyme was 4.7 +/- 0.1. Its activity was maximal between pH 7.5 and pH 8.5, and depended on the ionic strength of the medium, with a maximum at an ionic strength of 0.5. Reduction of cytochrome c by NADPH obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a KM value of 15 microM for cytochrome c. When NADPH was the variable substrate, a KM value of 1.9 microM for NADPH was found, but a significant deviation from Michaelis-Menten kinetics was observed at high concentrations of NADPH. Mersalyl strongly inhibited the reductase activity when added to the enzyme prior to NADPH; preincubation of the enzyme with NADPH considerably reduced the inhibitory efficiency of mersalyl. A partially proteolyzed water-soluble, active, form of enzyme with a molecular mass of 67 kDa was prepared. The proteolyzed enzyme exhibited the same specificity, and kinetic behavior with respect to NADPH, and the same dependency on the ionic strength, as the native enzyme.     

Activation of neutrophil NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system. Partial purification of components and characterization of the activation process

The superoxide-generating enzyme of human neutrophils, NADPH oxidase, is converted from an inactive to an active form upon stimulation of the neutrophil. This activation process was examined using a recently developed cell-free system in which dormant oxidase is activated by arachidonic acid in the presence of a soluble factor from the neutrophil (Curnutte, J. T. (1985) J. Clin. Invest. 75, 1740-1743). NADPH oxidase from unstimulated human neutrophils was detected only in the membrane fraction. The soluble activation factor was localized entirely to the cytosolic fraction and exhibited two peaks of activity when partially purified under nondenaturing conditions: a major peak with a molecular mass of approximately 250 kDa and a variable minor peak with a mass of approximately 40 kDa. Both forms activated NADPH oxidase in a similar manner and did not exhibit synergy when combined. The cytosolic factor is not protein kinase C (or another kinase) as both peaks of factor activity could be resolved from the protein kinase C peak and neither required calcium or ATP to activate the oxidase. Activation of NADPH oxidase did require the simultaneous presence of the membrane fraction, the cytosolic factor, arachidonic acid, and magnesium. Following activation, however, only the membrane fraction was then required for O2- production. Cytosolic factor levels were normal in five patients with either X-linked or autosomal recessive cytochrome b-negative chronic granulomatous disease. In contrast, the membrane fractions from each failed to generate O2-, indicating that the defects in these two genetic forms of chronic granulomatous disease reside either in the oxidase itself or in a membrane component required for activation.     

Reconstitution of superoxide-forming NADPH oxidase activity with cytochrome b558 purified from porcine neutrophils. Requirement of a membrane-bound flavin enzyme for reconstitution of activity.

Cytochrome b558 of pig blood neutrophils was purified from the membranes of resting cells to examine its ability to reconstitute superoxide (O2-)-forming NADPH oxidase activity in a cell-free assay system containing cytosol and fatty acid. The membrane-associated cytochrome b558 was solubilized with a detergent, n-heptyl beta-thioglucoside, and purified by DEAE-Sepharose, heparin-Sepharose, and Mono Q column chromatography. The final preparation of cytochrome containing 11.5 nmol of protoheme/mg of protein gave bands of the large and small subunits on immunoblotted gel. The cell-free system with the purified cytochrome alone as a membrane component showed little O2(-)-generating activity in the absence of exogenous FAD. However, the system showed high O2(-)-generating activity of 31.8 mol/s/mol of cytochrome b558 (52.5% of the original O2(-)-generating activity of the solubilized membranes) in the presence of a nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reductase fraction that was separated from the cytochrome b fraction by heparin-Sepharose chromatography. Heat treatment of the NBT reductase fraction resulted in loss of the O2(-)-generating activity in the reconstituted system. The O2(-)-forming activity of the reconstituted system was markedly decreased by removal of FAD from the NBT reductase fraction and was restored by readdition of FAD to the FAD-depleted reductase. The reconstituted system containing purified cytochrome b558 plus the NBT reductase showed approximately 100 times higher O2(-)-generating activity than a system containing rabbit liver NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase instead. These results suggest that both the FAD-dependent NBT reductase and cytochrome b558 are required as membrane redox components for O2(-)-forming NADPH oxidase activity. The present data are discussed in comparison with previously reported results on reconstituted systems containing added free FAD.     

Kinetic study of the activation of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase by arachidonic acid. Antagonistic effects of arachidonic acid and phenylarsine oxide

The O(2)(-) generating NADPH oxidase complex of neutrophils comprises two sets of components, namely a membrane-bound heterodimeric flavocytochrome b which contains the redox centers of the oxidase and water-soluble proteins of cytosolic origin which act as activating factors of the flavocytochrome. The NADPH oxidase can be activated in a cell-free system consisting of plasma membranes and cytosol from resting neutrophils in the presence of GTPgammaS and arachidonic acid. NADPH oxidase activation is inhibited by phenylarsine oxide (PAO), a sulfhydryl reagent for vicinal or proximal thiol groups. The site of action of PAO was localized by photolabeling in the beta-subunit of flavocytochrome b [Doussière, J., Poinas, A, Blais, C., and Vignais, P. V. (1998) Eur. J. Biochem. 251, 649-658]. Moreover, the spin state of heme b is controlled by interaction of arachidonic acid with the flavocytochrome b [Doussière, J., Gaillard, J., and Vignais, P. V. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 13400-13410]. Here we report that the promoting effect of arachidonic acid on the activation of NADPH oxidase is due to specific binding of arachidonic acid to flavocytochrome b. Elicitation of NADPH oxidase activity by arachidonic acid is in part associated with an increased affinity of flavocytochrome b for O(2), an effect that was counteracted by the methyl ester of arachidonic acid. On the other hand, the affinity for NADPH was not affected by arachidonic acid. We further demonstrate that PAO antagonizes the effect of arachidonic acid on oxidase activation by decreasing the affinity of the oxidase for O(2), but not for NADPH. PAO induced a change in the spin state of heme b, as arachidonic acid does, with, however, some differences in the constraints imposed to the heme. It is concluded that the opposite effects of arachidonic acid and PAO are exerted on the beta-subunit of flavocytochrome b at two different interacting sites.     

The reduction of cytochrome b558 and the activity of the respiratory burst oxidase from human neutrophils.

It is known that in respiratory burst oxidase preparations engaged in O2- production, cytochrome b558, a characteristic oxidase component, is partly reduced. This result has been interpreted in terms of a mechanism in which cytochrome b558 functions as an electron-carrying component of the respiratory burst oxidase, its level of reduction reflecting a steady-state partitioning of the cytochrome between reduced and oxidized forms as it ferries electrons from NADPH to oxygen. Kinetic arguments based on this interpretation have supported the proposal that the cytochrome is reduced at a rate sufficient to account for the rate of O2- production by activated neutrophils. We have confirmed the partial reduction of cytochrome b558 in neutrophil cytoplasts and in oxidase preparations exposed to NADPH, but have found that the reduction of the cytochrome bears no apparent relation to the activity of the oxidase, and can occur when NADPH is added to neutrophil membrane preparations that are unable to manufacture O2-. We therefore conclude that the NADPH-dependent reduction of cytochrome b558 seen in these preparations is unlikely to be a reflection of a catalysis-related steady state and that inferences drawn from such observations regarding the kinetic competence of the cytochrome may need to be reconsidered.     

Composition of partially purified NADPH oxidase from pig neutrophils.

The superoxide (O2.-)-forming enzyme NADPH oxidase from pig neutrophils was solubilized and partially purified by gel-filtration chromatography. The purification procedure allowed the separation of NADPH oxidase activity from NADH-dependent cytochrome c reductase and 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol reductase activities. O2.-forming activity was co-purified with cytochrome b-245 and was associated with phospholipids. However, active fractions endowed with cytochrome b were devoid of ubiquinone and contained only little FAD. The cytochrome b/FAD ratio was 1.13:1 in the crude solubilized extract and increased to 18.95:1 in the partially purified preparations. Most of FAD was associated with fractions containing NADH-dependent oxidoreductases. These results are consistent with the postulated role of cytochrome b in O2.-formation by neutrophil NADPH oxidase, but raise doubts about the participation of flavoproteins in this enzyme activity.     

Essential requirement of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) for stimulation of NADPH oxidase-associated diaphorase activity in granulocyte-like cells.

We have previously established a model of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2))-deficient differentiated PLB-985 cells (PLB-D cells) and demonstrated that cPLA(2)-generated arachidonic acid (AA) is essential for NADPH oxidase activation. In this study we used this model to investigate the physiological role of cPLA(2) in regulation of NADPH oxidase-associated diaphorase activity. A novel diaphorase activity assay, using 4-iodonitrotetrazolium violet as an electron acceptor, was used in permeabilized neutrophils and PLB-985 cells differentiated toward the granulocytic or monocytic phenotypes. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, guanosine 5'-3-O- (thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S), or FMLP stimulated a similar diphenylene iodonium-sensitive diaphorase activity pattern in neutrophils and in differentiated parent PLB-985 cells. This diaphorase activity was not detected in undifferentiated cells, but developed during differentiation. Furthermore, diaphorase activity could not be stimulated in permeabilized neutrophils from X-linked CGD patients and in differentiated gp91(phox)-targeted PLB-985 cells that lacked normal expression of gp91(phox), but was restored to these cells following transduction with retrovirus encoding gp91(phox). The differentiated PLB-D cells showed no diaphorase activity when stimulated by either GTP gamma S or FMLP, and only partial activation when stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Diaphorase activity in response to either agonists was fully restored by the addition of 10 microm free AA. The permeabilized cell 4-iodonitrotetrazolium violet reduction assay offers a unique tool for the evaluation of NADPH oxidase-associated diaphorase activity in stimulated whole cells. These results establish an essential and specific physiological requirement of cPLA(2)-generated AA in activation of electron transfer through the FAD reduction center of NADPH oxidase.     

Guanine nucleotides stimulate NADPH oxidase in membranes of human neutrophils

In the chain of events by which chemotactic peptides stimulate NADPH oxidase-catalyzed superoxide formation in human neutrophils, the involvements of a pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein (N-protein), mobilization of intracellular calcium and protein kinase C stimulation have been proposed. Superoxide formation was studied in membranes from human neutrophils; NADPH oxidase was stimulated by arachidonic acid in the presence of neutrophil cytosol. Fluoride and stable GTP analogues, such as GTP gamma S and GppNHp, which all activate N-proteins, enhanced NADPH oxidase activity up to 4-fold. GDP beta S inhibited the effect of GTP gamma S. These data suggest that NADPH oxidase is regulated by an N-protein, independent of an elevation of the cytoplasmic calcium concentration.     

Presence of cytochrome b-245 in NADPH oxidase preparations from human neutrophils

The composition of NADPH oxidase purified by Red Sepharose chromatography of extracts from human neutrophil membranes was investigated. In contrast to that was recently reported by others, the enzyme isolated according to this procedure contained a high concentration of cytochrome b-245 and little FAD. The results reinforce the belief that cytochrome b-245 is a major component of the NADPH oxidase and plays a fundamental role in the formation of O2-by neutrophils.     

A 29-kDa protein associated with p67phox expresses both peroxiredoxin and phospholipase A2 activity and enhances superoxide anion production by a cell-free system of NADPH oxidase activity

Production of toxic oxygen metabolites provides a mechanism for microbicidal activity of the neutrophil. The NADPH oxidase enzyme system initiates the production of oxygen metabolites by reducing oxygen to form superoxide anion (O(2)()). With stimulation of the respiratory burst, cytosolic oxidase components, p47(phox), p67(phox), and Rac, translocate to the phagolysomal and plasma membranes where they form a complex with cytochrome b(558) and express enzyme activity. A 29-kDa neutrophil protein (p29) was identified by co-immunoprecipitation with p67(phox). N-terminal sequence analysis of p29 revealed homology to an open reading frame gene described in a myeloid leukemia cell line. A cDNA for p29 identical to the open reading frame protein was amplified from RNA of neutrophils. Significant interaction between p29 and p67(phox) was demonstrated using a yeast two-hybrid system. A recombinant (rh) p29 was expressed in Sf9 cells resulting in a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 34,000. The rh-p29 showed immunoreactivity with the original rabbit antiserum that detected p47(phox) and p67(phox). In addition, rh-p29 exhibited PLA(2) activity, which was Ca(2+) independent, optimal at low pH, and preferential for phosphatidylcholine substrates. The recombinant protein protected glutathione synthetase and directly inactivated H(2)O(2). By activity and sequence homology, rh-p29 can be classified as a peroxiredoxin. Finally, O(2)() production by plasma membrane and recombinant cytosolic oxidase components in the SDS-activated, cell-free NADPH oxidase system were enhanced by rh-p29. This effect was not inhibited by PLA(2) inhibitors. Thus, p29 is a novel protein that associates with p67 and has peroxiredoxin activity. This protein has a potential role in protecting the NADPH oxidase by inactivating H(2)O(2) or altering signaling pathways affected by H(2)O(2).     

Human neutrophil cytosolic activation factor of the NADPH oxidase. Characterization of activation kinetics

The kinetics of sodium dodecyl sulfate-induced activation of respiratory burst oxidase (NADPH oxidase) in a fully soluble cell-free system from resting (control) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated human neutrophils were investigated. In a cell-free system containing solubilized membranes and cytosol fractions (cytosol) derived from control neutrophils (control cell-free system), the values of Km and Vmax for NADPH of the NADPH oxidase from control neutrophils continuously increased with increasing concentrations of cytosol, but with increasing concentrations of solubilized membranes from the control neutrophils, Km values continuously decreased, suggesting cytosolic activation factor-dependent continuous changes in the affinity of NADPH oxidase to NADPH. In a cell-free system containing solubilized membranes and cytosol prepared from PMA-stimulated neutrophils, NADPH oxidase was not activated after the addition of NADPH. However, cytosol from control neutrophils activated the NADPH oxidase of PMA-stimulated neutrophils in a cell-free system. Cytosol from PMA-stimulated neutrophils did not activate the control neutrophil oxidase, although it contained no inhibitors of NADPH oxidase activation. The results suggest that, in PMA-stimulated neutrophils, cytosolic activation factors may be consumed or exhausted with an increasing period of time after the stimulation of neutrophils, and that the affinity of PMA-stimulated neutrophil NADPH oxidase to NADPH may almost be the same as that of control neutrophil oxidase. It was concluded that the affinity of NADPH oxidase to NADPH was closely associated with interaction between solubilized membranes and cytosolic activation factors, as indicated by the concentration ratio.     

The active form of the ferric heme in neutrophil cytochrome b(558) is low-spin in the reconstituted cell-free system in the presence of amphophil.

The spin state of the heme in superoxide (O(2)(.)(-))-producing cytochrome b(558) purified from pig neutrophils was examined by means of room-temperature magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) under physiological conditions. Cytochrome b(558) with varying amounts of low-spin and high-spin heme was prepared by either pH adjustment or heat treatment, and the O(2)(.)(-)-forming activity in a cell-free system was found to correlate with the low-spin heme content. The possibility that the O(2)(.)(-)-forming activity results from a transient high-spin ferric heme form that is induced during activation by anionic amphophils has also been investigated. EPR spectra of cytochrome b(558) activated by either arachidonic acid or myristic acid, showed that a transient high-spin ferric species accounting for approximately 50% of the heme appeared in the presence of arachidonic acid, but not in the presence of myristic acid. Hence the appearance of a transient high-spin ferric heme species on activation with an amphophil does not afford a common activation mechanism in the NADPH oxidase system. The EPR results for cytochrome b(558) activated with arachidonic acid showed that the transient high-spin ferric heme can bind cyanide. However, the high-spin ferric heme does not contribute to the O(2)(.)(-) production of cytochrome b(558) in cell-free assays in the presence of cyanide.